By A. Priyadharshini
On Thursday, the Philippine oil tanker “Terra Nova” sank in stormy weather after departing from Bataan province, encountering massive swells that left one crew member dead and 16 others rescued. The Coast Guard vessel BRP Melchora Aquino recovered the last missing crewman’s body and began assessing the tanker’s fuel oil cargo.
Coast Guard spokesperson Armand Balilo warned of a significant risk of an oil spill affecting Manila Bay, emphasizing the urgency of containment efforts. The spill is being carried by currents towards Batangas and Cavite provinces, prompting local preparations for containment. Fishing has been indefinitely banned in Bataan waters that may be contaminated.
Balilo compared the potential spill to last year’s MT Princess Empress Disaster, which took three months to contain and caused extensive environmental damage. Manila’s shoreline, a key tourism and business hub, is at risk from the potential spill.
