MISAMIS Oriental provincial board member Gerardo Sabal said the Japanese-owned container ship paid P300,000 to the owner of fish cages affected by the discharge of “white substance” in the waters of Jasaan town on January 10.

Sabal said the settlement is an admission that the foreign vessel indeed dumped wastes which killed some milkfish or “bangus” fingerlings.

“Actually, nag admit ang kapitan sa barko nga naay ilang gilabay sa dagat. Nanglimpyo sila unya ang hugaw ilang gilabay (The ship captain admitted that they dumped it to the sea. They were cleaning and they dumped the waste),” Sabal said.

The capitol’s legislative body launched an investigation Wednesday, January 22, after residents and local officials were alarmed of the incident.

Sabal said they will wait for the final report and recommendation of the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) which will determine the possible liabilities and penalties of the shipping company.

Another round of investigation is set on February 5.

“Maghulat ta sa final report sa Coast Guard ug BFAR kay sila magpagawas sa ilang order (We will wait for the final report of Coast Guard and BFAR since they will be releasing the order),” Sabal said.