US submits report on USS Guardian grounding at Tubbataha

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 3): US submits report on USS Guardian grounding at Tubbataha

Another thick document will keep President Benigno S. Aquino III busy in the coming days.

The President said US fact-finding mission has submitted its report into the grounding of the minesweeper USS Guardian at Tubbataha Reef last January.

Aquino, who has expressed concern over the damage caused to the protected reef, said he intends to review the inquiry report submitted by the American probers.

“The Guardian (report) I got it last week. It’s a thick volume, it’s roughly about an inch thick,” Aquino said in a press conference at the Palace.

“I understand this is the findings of the American fact-finding mission. I have to go through it. It’s, again, about an inch thick—full of nautical charts, amongst other things,” he added.

The Philippine Coast Guard has also reportedly submitted its investigation into the grounding of the US ship to Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. The findings, that include recommendations on how to prevent a similar incident in the future, is expected to be transmitted to the President afterwards.

The USS Guardian ran aground at Tubbataha Reef last Jan. 17 and destroyed more than 2,000 square meters of the reef. The US minesweeper was cut to pieces and removed from the World Heritage site after more than two months.

The Tubbataha Management Office has demanded the US Navy to pay $1.4 million fine for the damaged caused to the protected reef.

As for the initial National Bureau of Investigation inquiry report on the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by coast guard personnel, the President said he may get the report this week.

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