Coast Guard to probe Albay oil spill

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is set to investigate the oil spill from the cargo ship MV Accord that sank off the coast of Albay last week.

Coast Guard Commandant Vice Admiral Damian Carlos said he would tap the Board of Marine Inquiry to determine who should be held liable for the oil spill that is reportedly threatening waters and fishing villages in Malinao and Tiwi.

But Carlos stressed that the inquiry would begin only after the PCG completely contains the oil spill and cleans the affected areas.

"We are now focusing on containment and cleaning operations. The investigation will just follow," Carlos said.

The cargo ship carrying bunker fuel reportedly sank after it ran aground in Tabaco town last Wednesday, causing the oil spill.

The PCG has announced over the weekend that the oil spill has been contained. The ship that had settled on the seabed reportedly stopped leaking oil after the hole was plugged.

Under the containment plan, the shipping company would first siphon out the remaining bunker oil inside the vessel before unloading the sacks of rice it was carrying and make the ship float.

Carlos said operatives of the PCG in Albay were still conducting surveillance operations to determine the extent of the damage of the oil spill. But he said initial reports showed the spill had minimal damage as it was immediately contained.