South Korea sends aid for oil spill cleanup

The ship sent by South Korea carrying supplies to aid the cleanup of the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro has arrived at the Manila port, according to the Embassy of the Republic of South Korea in the Philippines.

The vessel, which arrived Wednesday, was carrying 20 tons of sorbent pads and snares, 1,000 meters of solid flotation curtain boom, and 2,000 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE), all provided as part of the Korean government's assistance.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) welcomed the arrival of the aid supplies, identifying each item as critical for the ongoing response efforts.

The supplies are set to be dispatched to the affected region at the earliest possible time.

Prior to the arrival of the Korean ship, a team of four experts from the Korea Coast Guard (KCG) Emergency Response Team, together with consulate and staff members from the Korean Embassy, had already been providing technical assistance in operating response equipment in coordination with the PCG and other partners, including the United States Coast Guard (USCG).

During their five-day operation in affected areas in Mindoro, the Korean team shared their expertise in addressing the oil spill and also provided the affected residents with aid supplies such as drinking water and safety guidelines.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea emphasized that the country is always ready to stand in solidarity with the Philippines, based on their long-standing partnership in various areas of cooperation. They also noted that the two countries will be celebrating their 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2024.

MT Princess Empress sank on February 28 off Najuan, Oriental Mindoro while carrying 900,000 liters of industrial fuel.

The Maritime Industry Authority said it has found probable cause to file charges against the owner of the sunken motor tanker Princess Empress, which has caused an oil spill in Oriental Mindoro.  —VAL, GMA Integrated News