Mayor files charges vs foreign seamen for pollution of Sarangani Bay

GLAN, Sarangani (July 16, 2012) – Mayor Victor James Yap Sr. (left) files charges Monday, July 16, before provincial prosecutor Felipe Vicente Velasco inside the Justice on Wheels mobile court against 11 officers and crew of foreign vessels TB Oceania 1 (tugboat) and Oceania 2 (barge) for dumping coal residue from the barge’s hold into Sarangani Bay last May. The respondents are Capt. Samsudin, Kyaw Htay, Shwe Thann, Keso Bin Tarjuki, Tu Kah Hua, Tar Var Linmyint, M. Fauzi Bin Apandi, Kumaedi, Russetia Wahit, M. Zaiful Hosen, and Lau Nai Sing who are all foreigners and are either Malaysian, Indonesian and Myanmar nationals. They were charged for violation of the Clean Water Act (pollution of water body), violation of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992, marine pollution under PD 979, and aquatic pollution under the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)