Palace: In Cavite oil spill, Aquino wants cleanup first before probe

President Benigno Aquino III wants an immediate cleanup of the area affected by an oil spill in Cavite before determining who is to blame for the mess, Malacañang said on Saturday.

On government-run dzRB radio, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said, ""Ang directive ng Pangulong (Benigno) Aquino (Aquino's directive) is to make sure we focus on recovery and cleanup operations."

“Ang naging agreement kanina, mag-dispatch ng tugboats and marine environment personnel to help in the cleanup," Valte said.

She said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will form a team to determine the cause of the leak.

“Gagawin ng PCG, adjudication team to handle the investigation, para pagkatapos ng cleanup ma-determine saan ang pinanggalingan ng leak," she added.

Valte said private corporations have also volunteered to help in the cleanup.

“Kanina nag-meeting ang PCG kasama ang representatives, hindi ko muna banggitin saan corporation, basta may representative ng private corporation ang involved, and mga local government units kaninang umaga,” Valte said.

“At least the agreement between the attendees is to focus on recovery and cleanup, para ma-contain ang effect ng leak. Saka na natin tingnan kung ano ang pinanggalingan ng leak,” she said.

Earlier, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said at least 31 villages in three towns in Cavite had been affected by the oil spill.

On Friday, the Coast Guard said its initial findings showed a leak in the underwater pipeline of Petron may have caused the spill.

On Saturday, oil firm Petron Corp. said the oil sheen possibly caused by a leak in its facility's pipeline off Cavite province  was "barely visible."

In a statement, Petron said Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla also inspected the shoreline near the receiving facility of the Rosario depot and found "minimal oil sheen."

"This morning, the oil sheen was barely visible. Governor Remulla also inspected the shoreline near the receiving facility of the Rosario depot and found minimal oil sheen, indicating that the situation is under control," it said. - VVP, GMA News