Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Arroyo vows no whitewash in oil spill probe (4:55 p.m.)
MANILA -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo vowed Wednesday there will be no whitewash in the investigation into an oil spill that stained a central Philippine island and devastated vast fishing grounds and marine reserves.
Arroyo also pledged that Guimaras Island, where a tanker sank Aug. 11 and spilled some of its 2 million-liter (500,000-gallon) cargo of bunker oil, "will be great again."
The island had only recently pulled itself out of the country's 20 poorest provinces, local officials said.
"As we clean up the coast of Guimaras with all the intensity we can muster, we will make sure that there will be no whitewash in ferreting out the truth behind the accident," Arroyo told local officials on the island, about 500 kilometers (310 miles) southeast of Manila.
She ordered Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales to "ensure an airtight case" against those liable for the oil spill, which has damaged about 220 kilometers (137 miles) of coastline, 450 hectares (1,112 acres) of mangroves, 1,144 hectares (2,827 acres) of marine reserves and 116 hectares (287 acres) of seaweed plantations.
Arroyo said the disaster has been effectively contained but the cleanup will be intensified with the help of volunteers, including students, from nearby provinces.
"It will take more than an oil slick to sink this island," she said on her third visit to Guimaras. "Together we will wipe away this smudge to bring back the smile on the face of the people of Guimaras."
About 26,000 people who depend on fishing have been affected. The island, famous for its mango exports, also was being developed as a major tourist destination before the oil spill.
Justice officials on Tuesday recommended criminal charges for negligence against Norberto Aguro, skipper of the tanker, Solar I, and Clemente Cancio, president of the vessel's owner, Sunshine Maritime Development Corp., in the deaths of two of the 20 crewmen and the damage from the massive oil spill.
The owner of the spilled oil, Petron Corp., the country's largest oil refiner, could face civil liability, Justice Undersecretary Ernesto Pineda said.
Petron Vice President Jose Campos said the company will not shirk from its "moral and social responsibility."
"We will be in Guimaras for as long as it takes, even if it takes five years or more to repair the damage done," he told reporters.
Last week, a Japanese salvage ship, using a remote-operated vehicle, found the tanker in an upright position about 700 meters (2,296 feet) under the sea with little sign that it is continuing to leak oil, the coast guard said.
Arroyo said a decision will be made soon on what to do with the tanker and its remaining cargo. (AP) |
