The Philippine Coast Guard said Saturday that they have collected a total of 140 liters of oil pumped out from a bulk carrier ship into the water along the port area of Masbate City.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Eduardo Aguilar, Masbate PCG provincial station commander, said that the oil spill was under control by 3 p.m. Friday.

“Although we already have a hint as to who pumped out the oil, we still have to be a hundred percent sure, so we collected oil samples,” Aguilar said. He added that they collected oil samples from all the ships docked at the Masbate port.

“As soon as the weather here in Masbate improves, we will send the samples to the Marine Environmental Protection Command (Mepcom) so they can review them,” he added.

The maritime police will file criminal charges against Great Trust Dragon 2, the Vietnamese vessel carrying cement believed to be the source of the bunker fuel, for aquatic pollution. Great Trust Dragon 2 is owned by PHC Maritime Co., Ltd. The ship is still at Masbate City Port.

“Aside from the case to be filed by the maritime police, the Marine Environmental Protection Unit (MEPU) of PCG will file another case,” Aguilar said.

In a report by Isaias Bigol Jr., City Disaster Risk Reduction Management officer, the oil spill started at about 4 a.m.
“Typhoon Karen was not yet strong yesterday (Friday) so it didn't affect our operations,” Aguilar said.