DISASTER AT SEA An expert team from the Japan Disaster Relief helps the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in containing the oil spill from the sunken fuel tanker, MT Princess Empress, off the waters of Oriental Mindoro in this photo taken on March 16, 2023. —PCG PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Maritime Industry Authority – National Capital Region (Marina-NCR) revoked the Certificate of Public Convenience of the shipping company that operated MT Princess Empress, the tanker that caused an oil spill in Oriental Mindoro and other areas.
According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in a statement on Thursday, Marina revoked the certificate of the RDC Reield Marine Services, Inc. in a resolution dated May 11, based on the finding that the company operated the tanker without authority.
The DOTr then said that it is looking into the possible culpability of personnel from relevant maritime authorities in the sinking of MT Princess Empress.
The department noted that despite not being authorized to operate, the vessel sailed for at least 17 times before it sank on Feb. 28, 2023.
“We have had sinkings before but no one has been held to account. This time all parties, whether private or public, will be held accountable. There will be no exception,” said Transportation Sec. Jaime Bautista.
“Our policy is zero tolerance to shortcuts, official negligence, and disregard of rules. The rule of law, good governance and best practices must prevail throughout the department and its agencies,” he added.
It can be recalled that the MT Princess Empress was carrying over 900,000 liters of industrial fuels when it sank off the waters of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, threatening several provinces’ marine ecosystems, coastal communities and even tourism.
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