What could possibly be the worst oil spill disaster to hit the country is now engaging the attention of government and private agencies as well as foreign organizations. And well that it should, because it is affecting the lives of tens of thousands of people and damaging extensive areas of sea and land...The first concern, of course, is to contain the oil spill to prevent it from causing more damage than it has already done. The second is to give aid to the tens of thousands of people whose livelihood has been affected...The third is to pinpoint responsibility for the sea disaster and penalize the guilty parties. And the fourth is to pass laws and lay down guidelines to prevent a repetition of the disaster and mitigate the damage caused by similar accidents...Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez has said that Petron Corp. could be legally responsible for the massive oil spill off Guimaras Island...Petron has said that "technically, the liability for the oil spill damage rests with the ship owner." It also said it felt it had a moral responsibility to give aid to the affected communities. It should be impressed upon Petron that it has a legal, and not just a moral, responsibility to make restitution for the damage that the oil spill is causing. Petron should be reminded of the internationally accepted principle that "the polluter pays." [also refers to owner of the tanker, Sunshine Maritime Development Corp.]