Government prosecutors have recommended the filing of criminal charges in court against the executives of RDC Reield Marines Services, Inc., owner of oil tanker M/T Princess Empress which sank on Feb. 28, 2023 and spilled oil along the coast of Oriental Mindoro and other areas.
The oil tanker sank in the coast near Naujan town while carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil. The oil spill that resulted from the incident spread from Oriental Mindoro to the provinces of Antique, Batangas, and Palawan.
In a statement, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said: "Following a comprehensive evaluation of affidavits and evidence, the panel of DOJ prosecutors uncovered irregularities in certain documents related to the construction and certificate of public convenience of M/T Princess Empress."
“Consequently, the panel has recommended the filing of charges against the corporate officers of M/T Princess Empress, a MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority) personnel, and a private individual for multiple counts of falsification of public documents by a private individual, multiple use of falsified documents, and multiple counts of falsification of public or official documents," the DOJ said.
It also said the panel also found that “RDC Reield Marine Services, Inc. submitted falsified documents, including a Construction Certificate and Affidavit of Ownership.”
The panel, however, dismissed “for lack of probable cause” the complaints lodged against 19 personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and another personnel of the MARINA.
The DOJ did not identity those to be charged and those whose charges were dismissed.
“Negligence cannot be used as an excuse to destroy the environment and livelihood of people,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said.
“It is important to be diligent on land and on our waters,” Remulla stressed.