The Coast Guard is investigating an oil spill spotted along the shores of Barangays Buhay na Tubig and Bacawan in Pola, Oriental Mindoro.
Residents also noticed a strong, unpleasant odor coming from the sea.
The Coast Guard Oriental Mindoro conducted cleanup operations in the areas affected and collected at least three sacks of oil-contaminated debris.
The Marine Environmental Protection of the Philippine Coast Guard has taken samples for laboratory testing.
Officials suspect that a ship or boat might have discharged or accidentally spilled oil while passing through the area.
The Coast Guard clarified that the spill did not originate from the sunken oil tanker, MT Princess Empress, as all its oil had already been removed.
