The Department of Justice said it was looking at “interconnected” red flags that point to a possible “conspiracy” in the sinking of three vessels off the coast of Bataan, including the tanker MT Terra Nova that was carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel.
The Department of Interior and Local Government, on the other hand, said it was determining if MT Terra Nova was carrying smuggled oil.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said “every angle” will be explored in ensuring accountability for the oil spill.
“That (possible conspiracy) is part of the fact-finding, and whatever interconnection there is… because that’s a red flag, right? They’re all close to each other – one came from Limay, another from Mariveles, and one ran aground. They’re pretty close, probably within 3 to 5 nautical miles or kilometers of each other,” DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said on Saturday.
“You can draw a lot of conclusions there,” he added.
Vasquez said while the DOJ is operating under the presumption of evidence, it is eyeing the filing of a class suit against those responsible for the oil spill.
“We will sue them because we believe a crime has been committed,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said, adding that the sinking of the three vessels was “interconnected” but did not elaborate.
MT Terra Nova capsized off Limay, Bataan on July 25.
Two days later, MTKR Jason Bradley, which was carrying about 5,500 liters of diesel, sank in the waters off Mariveles town in Bataan.
A third vessel, MV Mirola 1, ran aground near the shore of Mariveles.
The DOJ already tasked the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a parallel investigation into the maritime incidents, Vasquez said.
Pressed if the DOJ is looking at a possible conspiracy, Vasquez said it was “possible” because there were “red flags.”
He said MT Terra Nova was out at sea for quite some time yet the tanker did not move much, supposedly en route to Iloilo.
“In all investigations, we always look at the possibility that it was intentional because the liabilities are heavier…Even if it wasn’t intentional, there could still be criminal liability,” he added.
As this developed, the provincial government of Cavite said it was planning to file a P1 billion damage suit against the owner of MT Terra Nova.
Gov. Jonvic Remulla said the suit will cover 25,000 fishermen, vendors and other residents whose livelihood were affected.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, for its part, distributed food packs to 1,612 fisherfolk in Noveleta, Cavite.
“The well-being of our fisherfolk is a top priority, and we are committed to providing them with the necessary assistance during this challenging time,” said BFAR OIC-director Isidro Velayo.
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