Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 25) — The Department of Justice (DOJ) may push for a writ of kalikasan against those responsible for the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro should concerned parties still fail to act, Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Tuesday.
Remulla did not mention any names but said the petition will be lodged against those “who have to be made to account” — both from the public and private sectors.
“Meron kaming deadline na binigay [We gave a deadline], and if they are not able to abide by the deadline, we’ll file a writ of kalikasan case,” said Remulla in a media briefing. “Government and private… If they do not do anything within the next ten days.”
A writ of kalikasan is a legal remedy under Philippine law that provides protection of one’s constitutional right to a healthy environment.
The DOJ chief explained it is a special civil action that urges people to repair and “do something” about nature.
Asked why some government agencies may possibly be included, Remulla said negligent regulatory bodies should also be held accountable.
“To make sure that they are doing their job. Because sometimes it’ s failure of governance that is contributory to the incidents that happened,” he stressed.
“This is a crime. We have to work within that premise — that a crime was committed and we have to correct the effects of the crime,” he added.
Last month, the DOJ said it was building up the case against RDC Reield Marine Services, the owner of MT Princess Empress, which caused the Feb. 28 oil spill that affected many coastal towns in the province and nearby areas.
