Oil tanker runs aground off Pangasinan

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines —  An inter-agency task group has been created to monitor an oil tanker that ran aground in the waters off Barangay Patar in Bolinao town in this province on Sunday night. 

Col. Redrico Maranan, Pangasinan police director, said the panel is composed of representatives of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and local government unit. 

The PCG said MV Chematic had its last port of call in Brunei and was heading to Ningbo, China when it encountered engine trouble. The vessel was carrying 15,471 tons of petroleum.

Maranan said the vessel had 23 Chinese and three Myanmar citizens on board. He said they would inspect the ship and check if there is an oil spill.

Barangay Patar is known for its beautiful beaches with fine white sand like in Boracay.