Molasses spills from a tanker off Negros Occidental

Molasses spillage was spotted within the vicinity waters of Sagay Feeder Port in Sagay, Negros Occidental. (Photo from the PCG)

MANILA, Philippines — Molasses was spilled from a tanker in the vicinity waters of Sagay town in Negros Occidental, the Philippine Coast Guard said on Thursday.

PCG reported that the port personnel of Sagay Feeder Port noticed the presence of discoloration in the waters surrounding MT Mary Queen of Charity.

“The port personnel suspected an undetermined volume of molasses spilled during the operations,” the PCG said in a statement.

The cargo boat was conducting shore-to-ship operations involving loading the molasses from trucks.

READ: Owner of sunken ship in Manila Bay denies smuggling allegations

PCG said around 300 metric tons of molasses were already loaded when the discoloration was seen in the water.

The PCG’s Marine Environmental Protection Unit held water sampling. It also took measures to try to contain the spillage.