Oil spill affects portion of Batangas waters after tugboat submerged —PCG

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said cleanup operation is ongoing after a tugboat submerged in the waters off Subukin Port in San Juan, Batangas on Wednesday.

“Ongoing 'yung ating pagkalap ng mga langis na tumapon. Ang atin pong personnel ng Marine Environmental Protection ay full force doon sa area para masawata 'yung ilang litro lang naman ng langis,” PCG spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

(Our cleanup operation for the oil spill is ongoing. Our Marine Environmental Protection is in full force to stop the spill which is just a few liters of oil.)

He said the oil spill or any chemicals may affect marine resources.

On Thursday, the PCG Marine Environmental Protection Group-Batangas conducted a vessel inspection and shoreline assessment to determine the impact of the maritime incident.

Around 30 to 40 liters of oil patches were seen along the shoreline, the PCG said.

PCG personnel and tugboat crew conducted manual oil spill recovery using sorbent pads and empty drums, the PCG added.

M/TUG Strong Bravery submerged after waters from strong waves flooded the motor tug. All crew members were in safe condition after abandoning the motor tug.

Balilo said they will investigate the incident.

Meanwhile, Balilo discouraged the public from fishing around the affected area.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News