The Philippine Coast Guard said Friday that there was no negligence committed in a gas leak that happened on a barge along the shoreline of Bauan, in Batangas.

PCG Spokesman Lt. Cdr. Armand Balilo denied the negligence after the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) confirmed that the shipping barge Kotakinabalu did not have the necessary permits for them to operate.

“There is definitely no negligence on the part of the Coast Guard because at the first place, the barge didn’t have any necessary permits from MARINA,” Balilo said.

Based on reports by PCG-Southern Tagalog District Commander Commodore Cecil Chen, the vessel was owned by certain Gerry Topangil.

But the owner never appeared before the authorities since the gas leak happened. (John Carlo Cahinhinan)