MT Princess Empress Owner, Others to Face Criminal Raps for OrMin Oil Spill – NBI

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) files raps against the owner of MT Princess Empress following the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro.

35 people have been prosecuted in connection with the sinking of the M/T Princess Empress in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, in February. The NBI’s Environmental Crime Division charged the ship owner, officers and incorporators of the oil tanker, and the owner of RDC Reield Marine Services with perjury and falsification.

The NBI and police investigation previously revealed that the oil tanker was rebuilt using scrap materials. The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has already stated that it found probable cause to file a case against RDC Reield and issued two cease and desist orders for the company’s and their three ships’ Certificate of Public Convenience.

The M/T Princess Empress, according to RDC Reield Marine, is a new ship that follows MARINA criteria. Remember that the motor tanker was transporting 900,000 liters of industrial fuel oil from the L Gas Harbor Terminal in Limay, Bataan when it sank in the waters of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, producing a catastrophic oil spill and affecting the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen.

Right now, the remaining oil in the motor tanker is being siphoned or shipped, which will take another 20 to 30 days. Based on the report, the total cost of oil leak damage and fisheries losses was P58,137,124, affecting nearly 27,500 fishermen and prompting 15 local government units to declare a state of emergency.

More than 42,400 families from 107 impacted areas in the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Antique, and Batangas contributed to the relief effort. The Department of Social Welfare and Development has delivered about P611 million in aid to the impacted communities, including family food packs, nonfood items, emergency cash transfers, and cash-for-work.

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