DOJ’s Remulla eyes filing of class suit over Bataan oil spill

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said they are eyeing the filing of a class suit against those responsible for the recent Bataan oil spill.

“Ang usapan namin (We discussed), we’re looking into the angle of a class suit already. Filed by the fishermen against the owners and others who may be responsible for this,” Remulla said in an ambush interview.

“Ano na ito, tuloy-tuloy ang demandahan dito kasi may nakita kami talagang crime dito na ginawa,” he added.

(We will sue them because we believe a crime has been committed.)

Under the Rules of Court, a class suit is when “the subject matter of the controversy is one of common or general interest to many persons, and the parties are so numerous that it is impracticable to bring them all before the court, one or more may sue or defend for the benefit of all.”

Remulla issued the remark following the meeting of the Oil Spill Inter-Agency Committee at the Department of Justice (DOJ), which was attended by Philippine Coast Guard commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan and Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla, among others. 

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos backed the filing of a case against those responsible for the oil spill.

“Yung pagkakaso, tingin ko, kailangan kasuhan talaga para makita natin is this an act of God. Fortuitous ba ito? Is there negligence on this? Kasi this is a great, not only a health hazard for everyone, ecological damage ito,” he said in a press conference.

(I think the filing of cases is needed so that we can determine if this is an act of God. Was it fortuitous? Was there negligence on this? Because this is not only a great health hazard for everyone, it is an ecological damage.)

“We’re talking about 1.4 million liters of oil,” he added.

For Abalos, procedures and protocols should be reviewed considering that more ships figured in a maritime incident in Bataan waters recently. 

“These things must stop. It's about time that probably we review procedures. Meron bang voyages na iligal sa lugar na ito? Rehistrado ba ito? Yung seaworthiness nito, are they seaworthy?"  Abalos said.

(These things must stop. It's about time that perhaps we review procedures. Are there any voyages that are illegal in this area? Is it registered? Are they seaworthy?)

“Bakit sa lugar na ito parang ang daming na yatang lumulubog? Hindi na biro ito (Why are there so many sinking incidents in this area? This is serious),” he added.

On July 25, the MT Terranova capsized and sank 3.6 nautical miles east off Lamao Point in Limay, Bataan, with one crew member reported to have died.

It was carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel.

Meanwhile, the MTKR Jason Bradley — another vessel that sank in the waters off Mariveles, Bataan on July 27 — was carrying 5,500 liters of diesel, and was also found to have leaks.

A third vessel, the MV Mirola 1, meanwhile, ran aground near the shore of  Mariveles town. Oil was seen flowing into the ocean from tanks inside the motor vessel.

According to Remulla, authorities believe that all three vessels are interconnected. 

“All three are interconnected, we believe. The first two vessels, especially,” he said.

However, he declined to give more information on the matter.

Cavite

Meanwhile, Governor Remulla said Cavite will lose income amounting to P1 billion should the fishing ban remain for three months. 

Cavite earlier declared a state of calamity after the fuel oil from Terranova reached its coastline.

“You’re talking about losses of something like P12 million a day sa mga fisherfolk natin. Kung three months ang ban ng BFAR sa fishing, aabot kami ng P1 billion in loss para sa Cavite lang,” the governor said.

Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense has said that a total of 352,179 people in coastal barangays in Cavite have been affected by the oil spill.

“Nakakaawa sila, eh. Lahat ng nahuhuli nila ngayon amoy gasolina. Nagka fishing ban na kami… lahat ng mga palengke sa amin wala na bumibili ng isda ngayon,” Governor Remulla said.

(They are pitiful. Everything they catch right now smells like gasoline. We implemented a fishing ban. No one is buying fish from our markets right now.)

He said that the provincial government has released food assistance for the past two days while financial assistance may be given starting Saturday.

“We're continuing tomorrow. We're giving cash assistance also tomorrow. I talked to the President yesterday, the other day, and he will release a certain amount to the 25,000 people affected,” he said.

“Approximately mga P10,000 per affected family,” he added.

Governor Remulla said the owners of the vessels have yet to reach out to them

“Wala ni isang tawag, ni isang— ni tulong walang padala eh,” he said.—With Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News