Image Credits: BADOC POLICE STATION A cargo ship ran aground along the coast of Barangay La Virgen in Badoc, Ilocos Norte, in the Philippines, leading to an oil spill. The oil spill was discovered around 3:00 pm on Monday, after which the Philippines Coast Guard deployed spill containment booms to prevent the slick from spreading. The landing craft transport (LCT) MSCI 1 was carrying construction aggregates to Calayan Island when it met rough sea conditions during the early hours of Monday. Waves flooded the ballast tanks, which made the ship list, after which the captain ordered an emergency beaching to prevent it from capsizing. The 15 crew members were rescued through a joint operation involving residents, personnel from the Badoc and Sinait Municipal Police Stations, the Maritime Police, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company. The Badoc local government, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Maritime Police, and the PCG have launched a clean-up effort to minimise the damage to the affected flora and fauna. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will assess the extent of the oil spill and its environmental impact.