US agrees to compensation on reef damage, says DFA

From Malaya (Apr 4): US agrees to compensation on reef damage, says DFA

THE Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday said the United States has ensured its full cooperation in the investigation into the grounding of the USS Guardian at the Tubbataha Reef last January.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said US Secretary of State John Kerry also gave the assurance the US will pay for the damage caused by the grounding.

“I would like to reiterate my own assurance to the Filipino public that every effort will be made to obtain proper compensation. We also are of the view that a long term commitment of resources by the US to the future well-being of the reef is important,” said Del Rosario quoting Kerry.

Del Rosario and Kerry met at the State Department on April 2. Del Rosario was accompanied to the meeting by Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr., DFA Assistant Secretary Carlos Sorreta, Deputy Chief of Mission Maria Austria, and Executive Director Rosalita Prospero of the DFA Office of American Affairs.

The US Navy ship USS Guardian ran aground at the Tubbataha Reef last January 17. Initial damage was placed at 4,000 square meters. Salvage operations were completed last Saturday.

Del Rosario said a joint damage assessment by the Philippines and the US is scheduled on April 8.

The DFA said Kerry also expressed support to the recent action taken by the Philippines in resolving its territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“Secretary Kerry assured me that the US is committed to supporting the efforts of the Philippines to settle the disputes peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law,” Del Rosario said.

The Philippines brought the dispute to the UN last January.

http://malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/28023-us-agrees-to-compensation-on-reef-damage-says-dfa