Japanese robot finds leaking fuel tanker in Philippines

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Japanese robot finds leaking fuel tanker in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines : An underwater robot from Japan has found a leaking fuel tanker, MT Princess Empress, which sank off the central Philippines three weeks ago.

The discovery of the tanker, carrying about 211,338 gallons of industrial fuel oil when it capsized on February 28 and eventually sank, was deemed crucial in stopping the spill, which has reached shorelines in three provinces.

Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor said that plugging the leaks and extracting any remaining oil from the tanker was urgent.

Dolor shared the first pictures of the Philippine-flagged vessel from its exact location with the help of a remotely-operated vehicle that arrived from Japan.

He said that the robot will help determine the tanker's condition.

According to Filipino marine scientists, about 88,958 acres of coral reef, mangroves and seagrass could be affected by the oil slick.

Japan has sent a team of coast guard personnel to help with the clean up, according to the Philippines' disaster agency, while five U.S. coast guard personnel have arrived to assist with the spill response, the U.S. embassy said.