MANILA, Philippines — The provincial government of Oriental Mindoro will not hesitate to file criminal charges against the owner of the sunken oil tanker M/T Princess Empress if the company fails to fulfill its obligations, Gov. Humerlito Dolor said yesterday. Dolor said a foreign vessel capable of sealing the leak in the Empress through the use of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is expected to arrive this week.
“The filing of damages is given. We are preparing the computation and the mechanics for the filing of the civil case. Aside from this, there is the criminal aspect, a case of neglect. If we feel the company is remiss in its obligation, it can face criminal cases aside from the civil case,” Dolor said.
He said the priority of the provincial government is to address the oil slick and provide assistance to affected residents.
“The filing of criminal and civil cases can wait. Our priority right now is to clean up affected areas and provide cash-for-work for affected residents as part of the directive of President Marcos to the labor department,” he said.
The owner of the Empress along with representatives of an insurance company attended a meeting, wherein they assured the provincial government that they would take full responsibility for the incident.
“In the presence of the Philippine Coast Guard, officials of the departments of health, and environment and natural resources as well as local government units, they gave assurance that they will not abandon their responsibilities,” Dolor said.
During the meeting, the parties agreed to the deployment of a vessel with ROV capability to locate the Empress and stop the oil spill.
“Last night, the owner informed me that a ship from another country will arrive. I am sending letters of endorsement to the Department of Transportation, Maritime Industry Authority or Marina, Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Health and the Bureau of Customs to facilitate the arrival of the vessel,” Dolor said. “It is capable of going to and patching the leak in the Empress with the use of an ROV.”
The arrival of the foreign ship will depend on the issuance of necessary permits from concerned government agencies.
Dolor said he did not have the exact date of the arrival of the ROV as it would depend on how fast the permits would be issued.
“They said in one week’s time they can assure the arrival of the ship. I told them the faster the ROV’s arrival, the better for all of us,” Dolor said
Meanwhile, Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito urged the government to invoke the security agreement between the Philippines and the United States to hasten the cleanup of the oil spill.
Ejercito cited the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which allow the US to deploy troops and equipment on a rotational basis in pre-agreed sites in the Philippines.
“The US should prove their commitment to help us in times of disasters. We now have a man-made calamity,” Ejercito said. – Paolo Romero