Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 1) — The oil sheen spotted near the dive yacht sinking site at Tubbataha Reef in Palawan is no cause for alarm just yet, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Monday, but noted preparations for a response team are already in the works.
“As of the moment, hindi pa naman (alarming) kasi oil sheen pa lamang,” PCG spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo told reporters. “But we’re closely monitoring and preparing our oil response team.
[Translation: As of the moment, it is not yet alarming since it is only an oil sheen. But we’re closely monitoring and preparing our oil response team.]
“In case may oil (sa sunken dive yacht) na tumagas na marami, we’re able to contain it,” he added.
[Translation: In case there is a lot of oil spill caused by the sunken dive yacht, we’re able to contain it.]
According to Balilo, the location where the M/Y Dream Keeper sank is 4 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reef.
He also said search and rescue operations for the four missing people is still ongoing.
“Meron namang 10 yate na tumutulong mag conduct ng search and rescue, pati mga divers,” Balilo said.
[Translation: We have 10 yachts helping on the search and rescue operation, including divers.]
He added that yachts in the vicinity of Tubbataha Reef halted their diving activities to also help with the operation.
