Remulla vows charges will be filed due to oil spill after sinking of tanker

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — “We are determined to make sure that people do not forget that what happened was a crime, not an accident,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said as investigations continue to hold people liable not only criminally but administratively and civilly as well for the oil spill due to the sinking of MT Princess Empress.

“This is not a time for people to say na walang kaso ito [no case here]. There will be cases,” Remulla said, adding that the investigation being conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) continues.

On Tuesday, another inter-agency meeting was conducted at the Department of Justice (DOJ) attended by representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Health (DOH), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).

During the meeting, it was mentioned that Marina’s investigation resulted in the finding of probable cause against the owners of the sunken motor tanker and that an administrative case would be filed.

“We are getting more information from Marina because they have committed to submit everything within the next few days,” Remulla said.

Last week, Marina issued a cease and desist order against the owner of MT Princess Empress, causing the grounding of its three remaining vessels.

“For the first time nagkaroon ng [there was] grounding of vessels. We have never heard this happened before, even in past tragedies,” Remulla said.

READ: MT Princess Empress operations ordered to halt by Marina 

Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said that while they received a report that some leaks from the tanker have been contained, the number they have been receiving is mere estimates.

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Hefty fines await owner of ill-fated MT Princess Empress — DENR 

JPV