Philippine Coast Guard divers yesterday were  ensuring that fuel tanks and valves of the MV Asia Malaysia that sank four  nautical miles off  Ajuy town in Iloilo Sunday are sealed to prevent the leak of 21,000 liters of fuel on board, Commodore Athelo Ybañez, Western Visayas PCG commander, said.

PCG Bacolod head, Lt. Commander Godofredo Vagilidad,  said the ship sank about 50 to 60 feet down, and was about 3 kilometers from Manapla town in Negros Occidental.

We are making sure a leak is prevented   because it could cause environmental damage in the coastal waters of northern Iloilo and some parts of Negros Occidental, Ybañez said.

“Please continue praying for us so we can attain justice.”

The appeal came from Carla Cuenca Gequillana, wife of slain Ilog Councilor Antonio “Karem” Gequillana, 42, yesterday after his funeral mass at the Queen of Peace Church in Bacolod City.

The councillor’s family, friends and supporters, some of whom wore white and black shirts with “Justice for SB Karem Gequillana” printed on the back, appealed to the Bacolod police to speed up the investigation and arrest the suspect behind his killing.

Robinsons Land Corp. has expressed interest in developing the Negros Occidental provincial government-owned property at the Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod City, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said yesterday.

The governor said the provincial government instead of developing the area itself is now opting to invite private developers to join a bidding to lease and develop the area.

The bidding will be open to all developers with track records, he said.