PCG to file raps vs barge owner over Iloilo City oil spill

July 5, 2020

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday said it will file criminal charges against the owner of a barge over the oil spill incident in Lapuz, Iloilo City.

“The Legal Affairs Team of the PCG National Headquarters is set to fly to Iloilo to assist in the ongoing investigation about the oil spill incident in Lapuz, Iloilo City,” it said in a statement.

“The PCG will file criminal charges against the owner of Power Barge Number 102, if warranted,” it added.

According to initial investigation, the cause of the explosion of one of the four tanks of Power Barge Number 102 was hot work as acetylene was used to open rusted compartments of the involved power barge.

“Immediately, the PCG and Power Barge Number 102 laid several segments of oil spill boom to contain the spilled oil. After containment, oil skimmers are swiftly deployed to initiate the recovery operation,” PCG said.

Approximately 40,000 liters of bunker oil spilled at the vicinity waters off Zone 3, Barrio Obrero, Lapuz, Iloilo City last July 3.

The PCG also laid additional five segments of oil spill boom to protect the nearby mangrove area from possible damage.

“Aside from the PCG, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and several private oil companies provided manpower and equipment to aid the containment and recovery operations,” it said. Ella Dionisio/DMS