Ship execs in trouble over oil spill

MANILA, Philippines - Officials of a shipping firm are in hot water after 50 liters of bunker fuel oil (BFO) from the M/V Ocean Blessing spilled out into the Manila Bay Wednesday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported yesterday.

PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said they have already issued a maritime pollution inspection apprehension report and boarding certificate to the Ocean Blessing and ordered the ship captain to appear before the PCG Manila Station for adjudication.

Members of the PCG’s Manila Station and Marine Environment Protection Unit, as well as crewmembers of the ship, used sawdust, absorbent pads and pails to clean up the oil. The task of collecting three drums of oil took two hours, Balilo said.