Coast Guard checks Mindoro waters for oil spill

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard is now checking Oriental Mindoro waters for oil spills following a maritime incident on Thursday involving a roll-on-roll-off vessel.

Spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo said the PCG has deployed the BRP Davao del Norte and an oil spill response team to the site, after rescuing all 52 passengers of the RORO vessel M/V Baleno 168.

The vessel's propeller was reportedly detached during a docking maneuver at the port terminal, initial investigation showed.

Th owner of M/V Baleno, Besta Shipping Lines, is asked to submit a plan to the PCG detailing ways to stabilize the ship which was half-submerged in the Calapan Pier as of Thursday.