DOJ subpoenas PCG, MARINA documents for oil spill probe

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said that the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have been directed to produce relevant documents for the oil spill investigation.

“Actually, delivered na ‘yung mga subpoena for all the documents we need from the different agencies, especially MARINA, the Coast Guard and some other agencies that may be involved here,” Remulla said in an ambush interview before the Department of Justice.

Remulla said they also requested records of the Philippine Port Authority.

“All the details of the oil spill, we want to get into because we think ... there should be liabilities here, there should be criminal liability involved in this case,” he said.

The Justice secretary said MARINA did not attend the meeting of the inter-agency committee on the oil spill on Thursday last week.

Remulla earlier in the day visited the coastal town of Pola, where he met with the Pola Mayor Jennifer Cruz and personnel of the PCG to discuss the incident.

“Well, andyan pa naman ang DSWD tumutulong pa sa kanila, meron pa silang assistance sa livelihood pero in the long run kasi hindi pwedeng ganoon na lang eh. Dapat yung cleanup maging aggressive para hindi magkaroon ng long-term effect sa kanila,” he said.

Remulla also raised alarm over the oil slick reaching Verde Island Passage, saying it is “very much at risk of damage.”

“Pero alam niyo mas threatening sa atin dito, Verde Island Passage. It is the most important, one of the most important areas for marine biodiversity in the world. And it’s right there,” he said.

“Nakita namin yung slick papunta doon eh. Very alarming. I hope that you can dramatize that. The Verde Island Passage is very important to our country,” he added.

The MT Princess Empress sank on February 28 off Naujan town while carrying 900,000 liters of industrial fuel. Aside from Oriental Mindoro, it has also reached nearby provinces like Antique, Palawan and Batangas.—LDF, GMA Integrated News