Ilocos townsfolk worried about oil spill from abandoned ship

SAN FERNANDO, La Union, Philippines – A Korean cargo vessel abandoned by its crew off Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte last December spilled oil at the height of typhoon “Juan.”

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) earlier had secured and reinforced the anchor of M/V Nam Yang 8 to prevent any oil spill as Juan approached the province.

Capt. George Ursabia, PCG district commander in northern Luzon, informed the Philippine Information Agency in a phone interview that the vessel’s anchor cables had been strengthened to make the ship stable and prevent it from being dragged by the huge waves and strong winds.

However, Pagudpud Mayor Matilde Henzon Sales told radio station dzRH that the ship spilled oil more than a kilometer long along the town’s coastal area.

Sales said local authorities are not allowed to board the ship as it is now under the custody of the Bureau of Customs, which had issued an abandonment order.

She said the oil spill has severely affected the townsfolk’s livelihood as they mostly depend on tourism and fishing.

“This is a big problem since the ship continues to spill oil,” she said.

Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself expressed concern that “there’s more oil coming out” of the vessel.

Marcos, former governor of Ilocos Norte, called on Customs officials to turn over custody of the ship to the local government.

The ship, reportedly loaded with 160 metric tons of bunker fuel, is said to be Korean-owned but no one has claimed it since its crew abandoned it.

There have been reports that the ship might have transported illegal aliens into the country or could have been used to smuggle illegal drugs.