Mindoro oil spill: New cases to be filed

MANILA, Philippines — The filing of new cases before the Office of the Ombudsman have been recommended in connection with the sinking of the motor tanker Princess Empress that caused an oil spill in Oriental Mindoro in February.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Environmental Crimes Division recommended the filing of charges against the owners and crewmembers of Princess Empress as well as officials and personnel of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Based on the NBI’s findings, RDC Reield Marine Services, the owner of the tanker, received undue benefits by registering the vessel despite submitting falsified documents and failing to meet the standard requirements.

Among those named in the complaint are RDC Reield Marine Services president Reymundo Cabial and his children, who serve as co-incorporators of the company.

MARINA regional director Jaime Bea and Region 5 Shipyard Regulation Service head Jose Buban were included in the complaint.

Questions were raised about the certification of the tanker, which was reportedly refurbished in Navotas instead of being newly built in Bataan as declared by both MARINA and RDC Reield Marine Services.

PCG officials and personnel were included in the complaint for allegedly failing to conduct boarding and inspection of the tanker before its departure.

The NBI recommended the filing of cases for grave misconduct and neglect in the performance of duty, under the revised rules on administrative cases in the Civil Service, against the MARINA and PCG officials and personnel.

Princess Empress, which was carrying 800,000 liters of fuel oil, sank in the waters off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro on Feb. 28, affecting nearby municipalities and provinces.