JASAAN, MISAMIS ORIENTAL — A Ship called MV Tower One, with a former name MV Racal, sank on April 3, Saturday morning in Macajalar Bay, 200 meters away from the Shoreline in Lower Jasaan, Jasaan town, Misamis Oriental.
PMaj Evary Bacunawa, Chief of Jasaan Municipal Police Station said in a phone interview with NewsLine Philippines, the vessel might have leaked which eventually submerged in seawater. This was based on the explanation given by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
“Ang hinungdan ana is ni-sink siya tungod nag-leaking na. I mean, nasudlan na siya og tubig ba [The reason why the ship sunk was because of a possible leaking. The seawater went through [the vessel]],” Major Bacunawa said in a phone interview.
“Nya lawom naman diay dinhang dapita. Tungod sa kalawom, mao nang nadala siya sa pressure sa tubig sa dagat siguro. Mao mana ang explanation sa Coast Guard [It was a deep part (of the sea). Such depth caused some pressure to bring [it] down. That was the Coast Guard’s explanation.],” he added.
The said police official mentioned that the vessel, which was owned by a private individual, started to lop-side on April 2 Friday around 11 o’clock in the morning, and it sank in the morning of April 3.
Presence of any personnel or crew was also not detected during the incident as the vessel has been placed at sea for an estimated five years. According to Major Bacunawa, options to sell the vessel were also taking shape as the owner found the ship’s condition beyond repair.
Meantime, oil spillage particularly in the seawater of Barangay Luz Banzon was already noted. Hence, upon assessment by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Jasaan, the PCG immediately placed a spill boom into the affected area in order to prevent further spread of the oil.
The MDRMMO has also initiated coordination during clearing operations against oil spillage with the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) for the proper disposal of the oil spills.
Major Bacunawa also advised the residents nearby the affected area to stay away, declaring the unsafe condition of seawater due to the oil spillage. “Ingon pa nila nga dili pa gayod maayo nga kaligoan ang maong area ug at the same time, makadaot man lagi [They said that the area is still not safe for swimming, and may cause harm],” Major Bacunawa said. (Frank Rosete)
