Oil spill in Romblon no cause for alarm – Coast Guard

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has placed oil spill booms in the waters of Romblon after a half-submerged tugboat that ran aground last week was reported to be leaking oil.

Reports reaching the PCG headquarters said the motor boat PSC Matibay ran aground last Oct. 25, some 20 meters away from the shoreline of Barangay Sugod, San Agustin town. It was reportedly loaded with 14,000 liters of diesel fuel.

PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said the vessel came from Manila and was on its way to Mandaue, Cebu when its captain and crewmen decided to take shelter in Romblon to avoid storm “Ofel.”

Residents in the area complained yesterday that the oil spill from the tugboat has already reached the shores.

Coast Guard personnel conducted foot patrol along a kilometer stretch of the shoreline but reportedly did not find any trace of oil spill.

But as preventive measure, the PCG has placed two oil spill booms since Nov. 1 and the supposed source of the leak has been plugged.

“There is no cause for alarm that there would be an oil spill since it was diesel fuel, which would soon evaporate,” the PCG said.

The boat owner is expected to arrive in the area tomorrow.

“If the people believe there were damages, they could file appropriate charges against the ship captain,” Balilo said.