MANILA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- A remotely operated vehicle has spotted the MT Princess Empress, which sank off Oriental Mindoro province three weeks ago, spilling toxic oil into the sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Tuesday.
"The exact location is 7.7 nautical miles from Balingawan Point, Naujan (town) in Oriental Mindoro," the PCG said in a statement.
Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor showed photos and videos of the tanker during a press conference.
The PCG will issue a detailed report on the sunken vessel's status in a few days to map out their next move to contain the leak.
The MT Princess Empress was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial oil when it sank on Feb. 28, causing a widespread oil spill in Oriental Mindoro and the neighboring provinces.
The ill-fated oil tanker was sailing to Iloilo province in the central Philippines from Bataan province, northwest of Manila when it experienced engine trouble and sank.
The Presidential Communication Office (PCO) said the oil spill affected nearly 33,000 families. At least 191 people have fallen ill, said Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire.
"Residents experienced respiratory symptoms. Others experience dizziness, stomach aches, and itchy skin or dermatological signs and symptoms," she told a press conference. ■