2 PCG ships deployed for cleanup of Guimaras oil spill

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday deployed two ships carrying equipment and chemicals to clean some 2 million liters of industrial fuel that spilled off the coast of Guimaras Island. Vice Admiral Arthur Gosingan, PCG commandant, ordered the activation of a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan to clean up what is believed to be among the worst environmental mishaps that hit Philippine seas. Personnel from the Task Force Guimaras were given orders to "contain and recover" the industrial fuel to avert potential damage to the environment, radio station dzBB reported. Coast Guard ships BRP Edsa Dos and BRP Ilocos Norte were expected to transport high-pressure water pumps and oil dispersants to the spill site. Tanker MT Solar I sank Friday afternoon south of Guimaras Island amid rough seas. Two of its sailors were still missing as of posting time. An unidentified passing boat was able to rescue 18 other crew members. Lieutenant Commodore Joseph Coyme, PCG spokesman, on Monday identified the two missing seamen as Ian Nabua and Victor Moradujos. Gosingan appealed to local government units as well as private corporations, particularly the firm which owned the MT Solar I, to help the PCG in clearing operations. The tanker loaded the fuel at Limay town in northern Bataan. It left the Limay port on Wednesday and was supposed to take its cargo to Zamboanga City. The skipper ordered his crew to abandon ship when they could no longer pump out water from the tanker. The sea vessel tilted to its right side before it sank.-GMANews.TV