PCG takes MV Mirola 1 into custody, summons owner

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said MV Mirola 1 is now under the custody of the agency to undergo further inspection and to determine if it has committed more violations.

“Ngayon po, nag-issue na po tayo ng inspection enforcement apprehension dito po sa Mirola 1. Nasa custody po ng PCG na yung barko,” PCG Bataan Station commander Lieutenant Commander Michael John Encina said at a virtual press conference.

(Now, we have issued an inspection enforcement apprehension here at Mirola 1. The ship is in the custody of the PCG.)

“Magkaka-conduct po tayo ng further inspection pa para ma-find out natin ano pang violations at administrative case ang pwede nating i-file dito,” he added.

(We will conduct a further inspection so we can find out what other violations and administrative cases we can file here.)

Aside from this, Encina said the PCG has summoned the owner of MV Mirola 1 as only the salvor was communicating with the agency.

“Wala pa pong pakikipag-usap na pinaparating yung owner (The owner is still not reaching out). We've already summoned her,” Encina said.

On July 31, MV Mirola 1 ran aground in the vicinity waters of Sitio Quiapo, Barangay Biaan, Mariveles, Bataan. It is an unregistered vessel and did not have clearance before sailing, according to authorities.

Aside from MV Mirola 1, MTKR Terranova—carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial oil fuel oil—and MTKR Jason Bradley sank off Bataan waters.

The PCG and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are looking into whether the three ships in the Bataan oil spill are involved in oil smuggling.

The owners of MTKR Terranova have denied the allegation.

On Wednesday, the Senate committee on environment, natural resources, and climate change issued subpoenas to the owners of MTKR Jason Bradley and MV Mirola 1 after they did not show up in a hearing. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News