PCG: Petron underwater pipeline leak likely source of Cavite oil spill

A leak in the underwater pipeline of Petron Corp. in Cavite may have caused an oil spill that  affects several residents in the province, the Philippine Coast Guard said Friday afternoon.

Coast Guard marine environmental protection unit head Commodore Joel Garcia cited initial reports that Coast Guard divers found signs of the leak Friday morning.

"Sa ngayon natukoy namin saan galing ang tagas. Nakita natin initially may butas ang pipeline ng Petron terminal," Garcia said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He said their efforts are now focused on patching the leak.

Garcia said the Coast Guard's marine environmental protection and Metro Manila units are in the area and have set up spill booms to prevent the further spread of the spill.

The dzBB report cited information reaching the Coast Guard showing the leak was still going.

However, a separate report by dzBB's Sam Nielsen said Cavite Coast Guard divers have yet to pinpoint the location of the leak as of Friday afternoon.

On the other hand, state-run Philippines News Agency quoted Cavite governor Jonvic Remulla as saying initial reports reaching him showed the leaked oil came from the MT Makisig.

For its part, Petron said its two pressure hydro tests cleared the pipeline of the product.

"We will look into PCG's report," it added in a statement.

Earlier, the Coast Guard said initial laboratory analysis results showed a match between diesel samples taken from the water in the area and from the MT Makisig, which Petron said is owned by a Herna Shipping, a third-party contractor.

The Coast Guard earlier said it may file charges against Petron and Herna for the oil spill.

So far, at least the oil spill has affected 3,000 families in Noveleta, Rosario and Tanza towns, the dzBB report said.

Meanwhile, Petron said its efforts continue to be geared towards monitoring and recovery operations in Rosario and Tanza in Cavite.

"As of this afternoon, there are minimal traces of sheen in the waters off Rosario and Tanza. Diesel is a non-persistent oil and we expect it to be dispersed soon," it said.

"We continue to closely cooperate with local government authorities, PCG, and other concerned groups to resolve this situation immediately," it added.

Also, it said it will look into the charges for obstruction of justice to be filed by the Coast Guard.

On Thursday, Coast Guard Marine Environmental Protection Command head Commodore Joel Garcia said they may file charges against Petron after some 500,000 liters of diesel spilled into the waters of Cavite.

Swimming, dipping ban

In the meantime, the Department of Health has prohibited swimming or even taking a dip in the affected waters, dzBB's Cecilia Villarosa reported.

National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Enrique Tayag warned of the danger of ingesting the petroleum content from the affected water.

Tayag also warned of possible respiratory problems. — with a report from Danessa Rivera /LBG, GMA News