MT Princess Empress oil spill

MT Princess Empress, the oil tanker that caused the oil spill, is owned by RDC Reield Marine Services.[8][9] Before it sank, the oil tanker was crewed by 20 people and en route to Iloilo to transport 900,000 liters (240,000 U.S. gal)[lower-alpha 3] of industrial fuel oil from SL Gas Harbor Terminal in Limay, Bataan. According to an energy sector source, industrial fuel oil, also known as "black oil", is "highly toxic to the environment".[10]

The Tablas Strait, where the oil spill occurred, is a waterway between the islands of Mindoro, Marinduque, Panay, and Tablas that serves as a major shipping route in the Philippines. The strait and its adjacent waterbodies, including the Verde Island Passage, are one of the most biodiverse in the country.[11][12] At least 21 marine protected areas could be affected by the oil spill according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).[12][13] Moreover, residents of the coastal settlements of Oriental Mindoro and nearby provinces rely on fishing and other marine activities for their livelihood.[11] Particularly the fisherfolks, which are communities vulnerable to natural and human-made hazards, had their subsistence, food security, and human well-being highly compromised.[14]

At approximately 2 a.m. Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8) on February 28, 2023, while traversing the waters of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, MT Princess Empress experienced rough sea conditions.[15] At 4:16 am, it was reported to be half-submerged.[2] Four minutes later,[2] Panamanian-flagged MV Efes rescued the oil tanker's crew and took them to Subic, Zambales,[16][17] where they arrived at around 6 p.m. unscathed.[18] From its initial position, Princess Empress drifted towards the vicinity of Balingawan Point before sinking completely by 8 am.[19][20] Later that day, BRP Melchora Aquino and an Airbus helicopter were dispatched to the area by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to investigate. A five-kilometer-long and 500-meter-wide oil spill was then discovered near the shipwreck, although the coast guard clarified that it was from the diesel fuel used to power the tanker, not the industrial fuel oil it was carrying.[21][22]

On March 1, the oil spill expanded to around six by four kilometers.[23] The coast guard described its slick as "black and thick, with strong odor". The oil had thinner particles as compared with the diesel fuel from the tanker, which caused an initial oil spill.[24] At around 2 pm, MTUG Titan – a tugboat carrying oil spill recovery equipment and members of the Marine Environmental Protection Unit (MEPU) of the PCG, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the DENR, and Malayan Towage and Salvage Corporation (MTSC) – reached the oil spill area and began spraying oil dispersants.[25]

Oil spill collection in Caluya, Antique

Oil spill off the waters of Oriental Mindoro.

The oil spill affected the following:[26]

• ten municipalities (Bansud, Bongabong, Bulalacao, Gloria, Mansalay, Naujan, Pinamalayan, Pola, Puerto Galera, Roxas) and a city (Calapan) in Oriental Mindoro;
• one in Antique: Caluya;
• two in Palawan: Taytay and Agutaya;
• two in Occidental Mindoro: Magsaysay and San Jose;
• at least two municipalities (Tingloy and San Juan[27]) and a city (Batangas City) in Batangas;
• part of Quezon.[27]

It reportedly reached Verde Island Passage[28] as well as the northern part of Tablas Strait and the northern part of Tayabas Bay.[27]

It affected major ecosystems across the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, and Antique.[29] The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), by March 29, reported that up to 5,185 hectares of marine habitat in Oriental Mindoro (including 2,252 hectares of corals) and Western Visayas have been affected.[26] The Department of Tourism reported that as of March 15, sixty-one sites in Oriental Mindoro, including beach resorts, have been affected.[30] Seven marine protected areas were reportedly damaged.[31]

By late May, reported environmental damage, particularly to coral reefs and mangroves, was estimated at over ₱9.52 billion;[32] and by mid-June, damages and losses to fisheries, agriculture and livestock in three regions reached more than ₱5 billion according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).[33] Most of the affected areas are in the Mimaropa region,[28] with Pola suffered the worst.[31] The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources earlier said that the fishing sector loses nearly ₱19 million daily.[14]

The NDRRMC reported that more than 40,000 families or more than 200,000 individuals have been affected,[33] all in 262 villages in Calabarzon (Batangas), major parts of Mimaropa, and Western Visayas.[34][29] As reported also by NDRRMC, by June 26, a total of 27,850 fishers from three regions have been affected,[34][35] although the agricultural office of Oriental Mindoro reported a month earlier a higher record of 31,524.[7]

In Oriental Mindoro alone, more than 99,000 people have been affected; 122 of whom have fallen ill, with some experiencing respiratory-related symptoms, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, eye irritation, and fever.[36][37]

Later investigation revealed conflicting reports on whether the motor tanker had permits to operate, and that the tanker is a 50-year-old rebuilt scrap rather than a purpose-built.[62] Investigation by the Senate revealed that the ship sailed without permission nine times.[63] On the other hand, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) found as well that the tanker was registered despite RDC Reield Marine Services had submitted falsified documents to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA); and was reportedly renovated in Navotas and not newly built in Bataan as declared by both parties,[64][65] noting alleged conflicting information on the vessel's origins; these allegations were later denied by the RDC.[66]

At least three cease-and-desist orders had been issued by MARINA against the RDC, which involves cancellation of the franchise, suspension of operations, and prevention of vessels to sail.[67][68] These company's vessels include two tankers and a passenger ship.[69] MARINA later found probable cause to file charges against the RDC.[70] In May, MARINA–NCR revoked the company's license;[71] the said decision is not yet final.[72]

Some legislators raised the possibility of the government's sanctions against RDC and the vessel's charterer SL Harbor Bulk Terminal Corporation; the latter is exempted from any liability under the law.[73]

On June 5, NBI, as well as Pola mayor Jennifer Cruz, filed before the Department of Justice multiple recommended charges against certain individuals.[74] About two months later, the second batch of the charges was filed by the NBI–Environmental Crimes Division before the Office of the Ombudsman;[64][65] mainly with violation of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).[64][66] Those charged were the following:

• Seven RDC officials and six crew members of the oil tanker for falsifying public documents and using such;[74]
• Two other RDC officials for perjury;[74]
• Nineteen members of the Philippine Coast Guard, also for falsifying public documents and using such;[74] as well as grave misconduct and neglect in the performance of duty, for its alleged failure to inspect the tanker before its departure;[64][65]
• MARINA director and MARINA Shipyard chief, both in Region V, for falsifying public documents;[74] also for grave misconduct and neglect in the performance of duty.[65]

Another batch is expected to be filed against the RDC for allegedly violating environmental laws.[66]

• Guimaras oil spill

• Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
• Effects of Oil Spill in CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and Region VI (Western Visayas) – National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)
• Oil spill in Philippines, an activation of the International Charter 'Space and Major Disasters'
• MT Princess Empress Incident Information Centre
• MT Princess Empress oil spill updates – Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)