Marina official dismissed over 2023 tanker sinking

(UPDATES) AN executive of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has been dismissed for his role in the sinking of the motor tanker Princess Empress that resulted in an oil spill in Oriental Mindoro in February 2023 that caused an estimated P7 billion in environmental damage.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said Marina Region 5 Director Jaime Bea was «culpable of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service» for his role in the maritime mishap.

«We have had sinkings before, but no one has been held to account. This time, all parties, whether private or public, will be held accountable. There will be no exception,» Bautista said in his letter addressed to Marina Administrator Sonia Malaluan.

He ordered Malaluan to enforce Bea's dismissal immediately.

«The rule of law, good governance, and best practices must prevail throughout the department and its agencies,» he said.

Bautista pointed out that Bea signed and approved the certificate of ownership/certificate of the Philippine registry of the Princess Empress in direct contravention of established rules and procedures on the registration of trampers.

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«Director Bea also failed to maintain the integrity of the processes in the domestic shipping section and enforce the provisions of the Citizen's Charter, which allowed Marina Regional Office V Engr. Joe Buban to process documents outside the scope of his duties,» he said.

Bautista said Bea's actions resulted in «millions of pesos of damages to the government» in response operations and damaged the «image and integrity of Marina.»

Princess Empress sank off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, on Feb. 28, 2023, causing an oil spill that resulted in environmental damage estimated at P7 billion.

In February, the Department of Justice (DoJ) recommended criminal charges against RDC Reield Marine Services, Inc., the ship's owner, and other implicated parties, including corporate officers and 19 Philippine Coast Guard personnel.

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These recommendations followed a comprehensive investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation-Environmental Crime Division, which uncovered document falsification and