Weekly aerial inspection will be conducted by the inter-agency task force to determine the areas affected and the extent of the damage caused by the Bataan oil spill, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’’ Abalos Jr. said on Monday, Aug. 5.
Shortly after the recent aerial inspection with members of the inter-agency task force, Abalos asserted that the move will quash rumors or baseless information that may sow undue public panic in the oil spill incident.
“Kaya namin ginagawa ito kasi ayaw naming magpanic ang mga tao (We are doing this because we do not want the people to panic),’’ Abalos said.
He reiterated that any form of fake news, tsismis (rumors) or unfounded misinformation will cause public alarm and panic.
Abalos assured that regular inspections will be conducted to inform the public of the actual situation on the ground and highlight the government’s preparedness in all aspects of the situation.
The DILG chief also expressed overwhelming support to the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) investigation on the “pa-ihi” system with the hope of exposing all the parties involved.
Abalos explained that “pa-ihi’’ is a scheme where smugglers siphon oil products to smaller sea vessels before the actual delivery is made to evade paying taxes.
“Dapat imbestigahan ito at yung mga may kasalanan naman, ay talagang dapat idemanda (This should be investigated and those liable should be charged),” Abalos emphasized.