Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 28) — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported a possible oil spill in waters off Oriental Mindoro, where a tanker was found partially submerged Tuesday morning.
The coast guard said based on aerial surveillance the slick could be five kilometers long and 500 meters wide.
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WATCH: The Philippine Coast Guard spots a "suspected" oil spill in the waters off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro where an oil tanker partially submerged this morning https://t.co/IxzxlnkVbw | @syinocencio
📹 Coast Guard Aviation Force pic.twitter.com/zWIJSXGNtZ
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) February 28, 2023
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The PCG said it earlier responded to a distressed tanker carrying 800,000 liters of industrial oil near Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, after the vessel encountered engine trouble.
It said the BRP Melchora Aquino and one airbus helicopter were dispatched to the location. The coast guard also directed its District Southern Tagalog and Aviation Force to help assist and assess the vicinity waters for possible traces of oil.
In a statement, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it is also monitoring the area for any potential harm to life and livelihoods due to its distance from the shoreline.
According to the DENR, the vessel is currently eight to twelve nautical miles away from the eastern side of Mindoro Island.
The agency said poor weather has made it difficult to access the area — limiting observation of the impact to aircraft survey.
The MT Princess Empress sailed from Bataan en route to Iloilo with 20 crew members on board. They were rescued by MV EFES, a foreign vessel.
The oil tanker drifted towards waters off Balingawan Point, Oriental Mindoro due to rough sea conditions.
\”Ito’y nagkaroon ng engine trouble o nag-overheat ang makina ng nasabing barge. At dulot na rin ng sama ng panahon kaya ito napadpad sa nasabing lugar,\” Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) in Naujan said.
[Translation: It had an engine problem or the engine of the barge overheated. And bad weather caused it to drift and run aground in the area.]
The half-submerged vessel is continuously being monitored by barangay officials and the PCG, the MDRRMO added.
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