Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla on Tuesday, March 21, said the government is determined to clean up, on its own, the oil spill caused by the sinking of the MT Princess Empress off the waters of Oriental Mindoro. Remulla told journalists that the clean-up task is being considered, including the hiring of a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV), since the owner of the vessel has yet to take action following the Feb. 28 tragedy. “Now it’s 21 days wala pa tayong ROV hanggang ngayon (we have no ROV up to now),” said Remulla after his visit Pola, Oriental Mindoro to conduct an inspection of the oil spill. “That's why on Thursday agenda namin kung wala sila ilalabas na ROV for this purpose tayo na mismo (if they do not get ROV then the government will do it itself), the government will undertake it on its own,” he pointed out. He said he is set to meet on Thursday, March 23, with officials of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to discuss the matter. He reminded that the ROV that was sent from Japan was only meant “just to look at the situation but not to repair any damage.” “If there are insurance policies that will allow them to reimburse us so be it but I think that we should do this ourselves kasi habang kung meron pang mahihigop na naroon ang makakawala (because,while  there is still oil in the vessel being released) it’s better that we do something about it,” he said. Meanwhile, Remulla assured that the investigation continues in looking into the liabilities of the ship owner. “Actually, delivered na ‘yung mga subpoena (subpoena delivered) for all the documents we need from the different agencies, especially, MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority), the Philippine Coast Guard and some other agencies that may be involved here,” he said. “Hinihingi natin lahat ng dokumento (we are asking all the documents) and course from the PPA (Philippine Ports Authority), the records of the port yung (that of) Limay where the loading was done on the boat, the loading of the cargo,” he also said. “All the details about the oil spill we want to get into because we think there should be criminal liability here,” he stressed. Earlier, Remulla had said a panel will be formed to investigate the oil spill.