Truck with 7 drums of oil sludge seized

A truckload of drums containing hazardous waste from a private wharf in Mandaue City was seized by members of the Maritime Police Wednesday night.

Members of the 701st Maritime detachment headed by Chief Inspector Ranulfo Sebusa intercepted the dump truck, loaded with seven drums of oil sludge, driven by one Jessie Pilapil on its way out of the F.F. Cruz wharf at 9:00 p.m.

Sebusa said his men seized the sludge for violation of Section 27 of Administrative Order 92-29 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The said DENR administrative order prescribed the rules on how to transport hazardous waste.

Among the rules is that, the container should be clean and properly labeled to indicate that it is toxic and dangerous to human health.

Benjie Maquilan and Lemuel Rubi, who represented Rubi Trading in Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City, surfaced to claim the truck but were told to do it at the DENR.

Sebusa said they will turn over the oil sludge to the DENR regional office because they found no criminal violation committed by the owner, except that it has no permit to transport, which is administrative in nature.

Sebusa added that the owner was able to present an environmental compliance certificate from the DENR. They could not also charge Rubi Trading for violation of the energy law because the Department of Energy allegedly said that they do not have jurisdiction over used petroleum products.

It was, however, learned by The FREEMAN from reliable sources that the oil sludge will be recycled to produce bunker fuel, which will be sold through the black market.

The seized oil sludge is similar to that in Guimaras Island, which was caused by the sinking of a Petron chartered oil tanker. - Fred P. Languido/MEEV