50-year-old MT Dorothy Uno bared before conversion into MT Princess Empress

Three more witnesses on the supposed rehabilitation of 50-year-old MT Dorothy Uno into MT Princess Empress went to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to give sworn statements on their involvement in the alleged repairs.

According to John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, the witnesses were colleagues of alias “Dodong” who first disclosed the reported rehabilitation to authorities along with the flaws in the design of the motor tanker, which made it vulnerable to strong waves.

“Hinahampas siya ng alon, eh. Dumaan daw sa may kadena 'yung tubig kaya napuno ‘yung floor deck. Sabi ng mga tao doon, itaas ata 'yung ‘winds’ para ‘pag hinampas ng alon, di papasok sa tanke. Hindi naman nasunod,” Dodong said.

(The ship was being hit by huge waves. The waters filled the floor deck. The staff said the winds should be raised but it was not followed.)

Dodong said he also became worried after the company owner said the vessel should be converted into a motor tanker.  It was originally designed to carry sand supplies.

“Medyo alanganin kung tutuusin kasi tanker 'yun. Dapat bago lahat kasi dangerous cargo ang karga. Di naman napalitan ang iba,” he said.

(We were worried. All of its parts should be new because it was a motor tanker and will carry dangerous cargo. Not all parts were replaced.)

MT Princess Empress sank on February 28 off Najuan, Oriental Mindoro while carrying 900, 000 liters of industrial fuel. All the 20 people on board were rescued. Oil sludges were reported in several provinces due to the leak including Palawan, and Antique.

GMA Integrated News reached out to the RDC Reield Marine Services Incorporated, the owner of the submerged motor tanker, for its statement but it has yet to respond.

The company previously declined to comment on the allegations that the ship was old and it was originally designed to transport sand supplies.

The NBI said it is now coordinating with other government agencies in gathering documents and evidence for the case build-up on the incident.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is eyeing to file charges against the owner of the ship’s operating company.

“Civil liabilities, criminal liabilities and administrative liabilities. Nagbuo tayo ng isang inter-agency committee, so, we will wait for reports from these involved agencies doon sa kanilang scope para magkaroon tayo nang mas malinaw na picture dito sa ating issue ng oil spill,” DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano said.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News