Recto says oil spill time for cooperation to fight eco-threats

DEPUTY Speaker and Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto on Monday said the Mindoro oil spill is an opportune time for the country’s allies to exercise an “environmental Balikatan to combat an environmental threat.”

“It is not yet late for the government to turn the Mindoro oil spill as site of an ‘environmental Balikatan’ where even nations at loggerheads with each other, like the U.S. and China, can “work together in fighting a real ecological disaster instead of an imaginary enemy,” Recto said.

Recto said he believes that should the country issue a call for help (SOS), “our true friends will come.”

He said the Philippines can bank on the “global humanitarian tradition” of helping a nation in distress “when its resources are overwhelmed by the challenges at hand.”

“Tayo naman ‘pag may disaster sa ibang bansa, automatic na nagpapadala ng tulong. Nang lumindol nga sa Turkey, nagpadala kaagad tayo ng isang eroplanong puno ng medical and rescue personnel and equipment,” he said.

When it comes to the oil spill, Recto said nations “are raring to test their manpower and equipment in real life, not tabletop, situation.”

More than a month after the tanker MT Princess Empress sank off Naujan and Pola towns in Mindoro Oriental, reports said the 800,000 liters of industrial fuel the vessel was carrying have seeped out and destroyed marine life in three regions.

Recto said if this month’s Balikatan in five provinces can mobilize 17,000 troops from two countries for a “mock war,“then even a fraction of the personnel and logistics involved will be a great help “in battling a real, not simulated, ecological threat.

Recto said if Beijing and Washington are competing for our affection, then they should see the Mindoro oil spill as an opportunity for them to show their solidarity with us.

“Each has made a declaration of supporting us. But what we need is an actual demonstration that will affirm their intention,” he said.