The Maritime Industry Authority has revoked the permit of the shipping company that owns and operates M/T Princess Empress, the sunken tanker that caused a massive oil spill in Oriental Mindoro and other nearby areas.
According to the Department of Transportation, Marina-NCR cancelled the Certificate of Public Convenience of RDC Reield Marine Services, Inc. (RDC) in a resolution dated May 11, 2023.
DOTr was also looking into the possible culpability of personnel from the relevant maritime authorities in relation to the sinking of the tanker.
“Serious questions have been raised about the seaworthiness of the vessel. Also, despite not being authorized to operate, the vesel was able to sail for at least 17 times before it sank on 28 February 2023,” the agency said.
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said: “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.”
“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,” Bautista added.
The Philippine Coast Guard clarified the vessel was carrying over 900,000 liters of industrial oil when it sank.
About 84 percent or 62.95 km. of the 74.71-km. shoreline affected by the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro province has been cleaned up as of May 10, the Palace said in a recent statement.
Defense chief Carlito Galvez Jr. said the Office of Civil Defense recorded a total of 6,801 liters of oil waste and 300,603.60 liters of oil-contaminated waste that have been collected through the combined efforts of various agencies and organizations.
A siphoning vessel from Singapore is expected to arrive in the country by the end of the month, while anticipated month-long oil removal operations are set to begin in the first week of June, based on the OCD report.
In March, the Japanese salvage vessel Shin Nichi Maru, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), arrived at the port of Calapan in Oriental Mindoro and was immediately deployed to the area to help in the cleanup efforts.