Third vessel found leaking hazardous material off Bataan

Authorities have found a third vessel leaking environmentally harmful material off the coast of Bataan, GMA Integrated News' John Consulta reported Wednesday.

Oil was seen flowing into the ocean from tanks inside the Motor Vessel (MV) Mirola 1, which ran aground near the shore of Mariveles town, according to Consulta's report on Balitanghali.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Counter Intelligence Division, NBI Bataan, Naval Intelligence at Freeport Area of Bataan Police found the vessel tilted to its side.

According to the NBI, nobody was found on board.

Last year, the NBI caught the crew of MV Mirola 1 engaged in pilfering of more than 30,000 liters of diesel, the report said.

The Bureau of Customs is investigating if the MV Mirola 1's oil was smuggled.

The NBI, meanwhile, is currently searching for the owner of the vessel.

The discovery of the MV Mirola 1 comes just three days after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that Motor Tanker (MTKR) Jason Bradley also sunk in Mariveles.

The motor tanker was carrying 5,500 liters of diesel left before it sank to a depth of 9 meters, resting on the muddy bottom 600 yards away from the shore on Saturday, July 27.

The salvage operation for the MTKR Jason Bradley was expected to take up to two weeks. Spill booms were earlier set up around the area to prevent its cargo from spreading.

Another vessel, the MT Terranova, sank off Limay town in Bataan on July 25 amid heavy rains and rough seas.

It was carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel, which had been leaking to the ocean and threatened the marine ecosystem in Bulacan, Cavite, and possibly other areas including Metro Manila.

Efforts to siphon its cargo were postponed to Wednesday as some of its valves still needed to be sealed before the operation could commence. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/ VDV, GMA Integrated News