Greenpeace, scientists witness devastation at oil spill ground zero

By LEA GUERRERO, Greenpeace Southeast Asia
August 21, 2006

GUIMARAS STRAIT, Philippines  –  Scientists and environmental activists onboard Greenpeace ship MY Esperanza arrived at the Petron oil spill ground zero to the foul stench of oil slick that stretched endlessly across the horizon in Guimaras Strait, central Philippines.

At around 8AM Sunday, the Esperanza located the origin of the oil slick at 7.3 nautical miles southwest of Unisan Island, the southernmost isle in the group of islands forming Guimaras. The oil slick started as a thin strip but fanned out across the strait as it comes closer to the islands of Guimaras and Negros. Thick oil globules were also seen floating towards smaller islands and reefs of Guimaras.

"This is only about 10 percent of the oil contained in the sunken tanker, but it has already reached a very wide area and devastation is extensive. The Philippine government must quickly declare a state of calamity in these affected communities. The government must also force Petron to prevent the rest of its oil from further leaking into the sea, and hold the company accountable for damages to the environment and for economic losses in these areas," said Beau Baconguis, Greenpeace campaigner onboard the Esperanza.

A Philippine Coast Guard vessel was also seen monitoring the oil spill ground zero this Sunday morning. According to coast guard officials, the sunken oil tanker is pumping out between 100 to 200 litres of oil per hour as of Saturday afternoon.

Scientists and experts who went onshore saw two mangrove areas near Taklong marine sanctuary that were totally covered by oil sludge, and were already showing signs of death. Mangroves sustain important fish and crustacean species aside from being a barrier to natural calamities.

“This oil spill has profound impacts to the environment and people. Although the visible pollution can be cleaned up to a certain extent, the long-term toxic effects of the oil pollution can kill mangroves and corals, impacting the rich marine biodiversity found in this area and affecting people’s livelihoods for years to come,” said Janet Cotter, from Greenpeace Science Unit in the UK, who is also onboard the Esperanza.

On Friday, August 11, a Petron-chartered single hull vessel carrying 2.1 million litres of oil sank in
Guimaras Strait. More than 200,000 litres of oil has already spilled into the sea, smothering marine sanctuaries, pristine beaches as well as fishing villages that depend on them for food and income. Petron has so far refused to accept responsibility for the worst oil spill disaster in Philippine history.