Authorities in Coron, Palawan have not yet detected any traces of an oil spill despite warnings from scientists about the possible spread of an oil slick from Oriental Mindoro. The UP Marine Science Institute reported “possible oil slicks” around 12 kilometers off the coast of Palawan on 2 April, but fishermen reportedly did not report any slick in the area. Local authorities have requested an aerial survey of the area to double check the reported slick and have prepared booms to contain traces of oil. The tanker Princess Empress sank off Mindoro carrying 800,000 litres of thick oil on 28 February.

Authorities in Coron, Palawan have not found any traces of the possible oil slick reported by the UP Marine Science Institute (UPMSI), as per a statement by Coron’s Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. The UPMSI had earlier said that satellite imagery showed “possible oil slicks near Coron” on April 2, which could have crept from Oriental Mindoro where the tanker Princess Empress sank carrying 800,000 litres of thick oil on February 28. More than half the oil has been discharged and dispersed over hundreds of kilometers of waters famed for having diverse marine life. The recovery could take years.