Marina exec dismissed over MTKR Princess Empress oil spill

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, in the waters off Oriental Mindoro in this photo taken on March 16, 2023. —PCG PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the dismissal of an executive of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) in connection with the sinking of MTKR Princess Empress that resulted in an oil spill in Oriental Mindoro in February last year.

In a letter addressed to Marina Administrator Sonia Malaluan released to the media on Wednesday, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said Marina Region 5 Director Jaime Bea was “culpable of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service” over his role that led to the incident.

“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,” Bautista said.

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He ordered Malaluan to enforce Bea’s dismissal immediately.

“The rule of law, good governance, and best practices must prevail throughout the department and its agencies,” he said.

Bea’s role in the sinking, he said, was signing and approving the Certificate of Ownership/Certificate of Philippine Registry of MTKR Princess Empress in direct contravention of established rules and procedures on the registration of trampers.

“Director Bea also failed to maintain the integrity of the processes in the Domestic Shipping Section and enforce the provisions of the Citizen’s Charter, which allowed Marina Regional Office V Engr. Joe Buban to process documents outside the scope of his duties,” he said.

Bea’s actions, he said, have resulted in “millions of pesos of damages to the government” in response operations and has also damaged the “image and integrity of Marina.”

On Feb. 28, 2023, MTKR Princess Empress — an oil tanker — sank in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, causing an oil spill in the waters of the provinces of Antique, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, and Palawan.

The oil spill has resulted in environmental damage estimated at PHP7 billion, according to the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute.