Portavaga Ship Management Inc. has addressed allegations that the sunken MTKR Terranova was involved in oil smuggling.

The Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier said that the MTKR Terranova and another sunken motor tanker, the MTKR Jason Bradley, as well as the grounded MV Mirola 1 in the town of Mariveles, may be involved in oil smuggling.

Atty. Leonell Mojal-Infante, spokesperson for Portavaga Ship Management Inc., refuted the allegations. 

He said since the company was established in 2003, they have only transacted with well-known oil companies and have never been involved in smuggling.

“We only deal with the reputable oil companies and  its always with contract, wala kami  ibang siniserve kundi yun lang may kontrata at yung  kakontrata naming ay reputable companies. Lahat po ng deliveries namin, ongoing at outgoing, lahat po yan sa bawat dadaanan ng port namin kumukuha kami ng permits, licensees ,clearances from PPA,PCG at lahat yan sinasubmit naming sa MARINA at nagbabayad kami ng oil pollution management fund fees every voyage,” Mojal-Infante said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

“Our company is not engaged and and its not engaging in any illegal activities,“ she added.

She said Portavaga Ship Management officials are not hiding and are ready to face any investigation because they have complete permits, licenses, and certificates from the Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority, and Philippine Ports Authority.

These permits include the Certificate of Ownership, Certificate of Registry, Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate, Civil Liability Certificate, Coastwise License, Load Line Certificate, Minimum Safe Manning Certificate, Safety Management Certificate, Certificate of Stability, Tonnage Measurement Certificate, P&I, Continuous Synopsis Record, Certificate of Classification (Hull and Machinery), Ship Station License, Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate, Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate, Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate, National Ship Security Certificate, MARINA Accreditation – Domestic Shipping, Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC), Document of Compliance, and MARINA Accreditation – Ship Management.

The shipping company added  that smuggling allegations are also impossible to be true because all of their ships are equipped with CCTV. Additionally, all of their cargo tanks are sealed.

“Every time na i-load siya ng mga charterer, siniselyohan nila yan at hindi pwde itamper yan. Nabubuksan lang yan ng kung saan yan idedeliver. Ang magbubukas lang nyan yung pagdedeliveran mo, so it's not possible na itong mga lumalabas na kesyo nagpaihi or something hindi siya possible sa barko namin,” Mojal-Infante said.

She said that proof of their company is reputable is that they have never had any records of complaints from clients regarding insufficient oil deliveries.

They also categorically denied any connection to the sunken MTKR Jason Bradley and the grounded MV Mirola 1.

Portavaga Ship Management Inc. said they will not evade their responsibilities and their obligations to those affected by the oil spill.