Sunken tanker off Bataan refloated after 2 months

WHICH VESSEL? This Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) photo shows salvage work being done on a vessel in Limay, Bataan, but did not say whether it was the Jason Bradley or the Mirola 1. —PCG PHOTO

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday said it had refloated an oil tanker carrying 5,500 liters of diesel when it sank off Mariveles, Bataan, on July 26.

Oil samples were immediately collected by the Bureau of Customs and National Bureau of Investigation after MTKR Jason Bradley was refloated on Wednesday afternoon.

READ: Sunken tanker Jason Bradley allegedly involved in oil smuggling – DOJ

PCG Bataan station commander Lcdr. Michael John Encina said the vessel would be towed to the Diving Industry Shipyard at Barangay Alas-asin in Mariveles, two kilometers away from its current position, for a thorough investigation.

Justice Undersecretary Raul Velasquez said last week the motor tanker was allegedly involved in an oil smuggling case, leading to the issuance of a seizure order.