MANILA, Philippines- Sinabi ng Department of Justice (DOJ) na lumikha ito ng task force upang imbestigahan ang mga nakalipas at darating pang maritime disasters.
Ilan sa mga tatalupan ang mga sakunang naganap 10 taon na ang nakalilipas, ayon kay DOJ Undersecretary Raul T. Vasquez sa pulong nitong Biyernes sa Mindoro oil spill.
“We wish the maritime industry to be aware that the government is ready, willing and able to prosecute anyone who will ignore or disregard maritime laws and the safety requirements in terms of maritime travel,” pahayag ni Vasquez.
Inihayag niyang pananagutin ang mga sangkot sa maritime disasters “as long as the evidence would support that.”
Nagpaalala rin siya na naghain na ng kaso bilang resulta ng Mindoro oil spill noong Feb. 28 nang umano’y balewalain ng oil tanker MT Princes Empress ang gale warnings.
Pahayag niya: “There are two cases pending. One before the National Prosecution Service which is the case for falsification of public documents, use of falsified document, and perjury. The other one is also a case against the same individuals but this time for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and this is pending before the Ombudsman.”
Nauna nang sinabi ng DOJ na mayroong 35 respondents sa mga reklamo kabilang ang mga opisyal at tauhan ng Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) at ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) maging crew at owners ng MT Princess Empress.
Subalit, sinabi ni Vasquez na pinag-iisipan pa ng DOJ ang pagsasampa ng panibagong kaso.
“Because of our desire to make sure that we have quality case on hand, that is to say, we have the necessary pieces of evidence to a reasonable certainty of conviction, we have not initiated the same yet. We don’t want to unnecessarily file cases which may hail to court certain individuals who need not be made to answer any probable criminal liability,” paliwanag niya.
Samantala, inilahad ni Vasquez na na-terminate na ang pag-recover sa industrial oil na dala ng MT Empress Princess sa pamamagitan ng nilagdaang kasunduan noong July 25 sa pagitan ng Philippine Coast Guard at ng concerned local government units (LGUs).
Aniya, ito ang nagign desisyon dahil “there is no clear and present danger anymore of further oil spill damage.” RNT/SA
