US Navy: We regret Tubataha Reef incident

**chua_riwap** · January 21st, 2013 01:32 PM

very busy na naman ang mga "red flag" waving groups sa US Embassy.

hoy....lumipat naman kayo sa chinese embassy. mag rally rin kayo roon!
halatang-halata kayo.

US Navy expresses regret for Tubbataha incident | ABS-CBN News

US Navy expresses regret for Tubbataha incident

MANILA, Philippines – A commander of the United States Navy on Monday expressed regret for the grounding of the USS Guardian last week, which damaged the protected Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea.

In a statement, U.S. 7th Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Scott Swift said he “greatly regret(s) any damage this incident has caused to the Tubbataha Reef.”

The USS Guardian had come from a port call in Subic Bay and was on its way to Indonesia when it ran aground the Tubbataha Reef early morning Thursday. At least 10 meters of the coral reef have been damaged.

“We know the significance of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and its importance as a World heritage Site. Its protection is vital, and we take seriously our obligations to protect and preserve the maritime environment,” Swift said.

Swift said Rear Adm. Thomas Carney will take over as the on-scene commander on January 21 to oversee the Guardian recovery operations.

Carney, the Commander of Logistics Group in Western Pacific, will embark the destroyer USS Mustin. Along with other US Navy vessels, the USS Mustin “is focused on preventing any further environmental damage to the reef and surrounding marine environment.”

The U.S. Navy said that there has been no change on the Guardian’s condition and there are no traces of an oil slick in the area.

“When the Guardian is safely recovered by the U.S. Navy, the U.S. government will continue to work with the Philippine government to assess the extent of the damage to reef and the surrounding marine environment caused by the grounding,” the U.S. Navy said.

Meanwhile, an assessment team from the U.S. Navy has already arrived in Palawan to work on the extraction of the USS Guardian from the Tubbataha Reef.

Lt. Commander Ralph Kris Hooper, public affairs officer of the U.S. 7th Fleet, said the extraction team includes engineers, divers, and other essential personnel.

Filipino lawmakers have begun questioning the U.S. warship’s presence in Philippine waters.

Sen. Francis Escudero, chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, is asking if the ship had authorized access.

“Were we informed of its presence in our territory? Why can’t we have official word from concerned authorities about the official status of the ship in our waters?” Escudero asked.

Sen. Loren Legarda, meanwhile, wants the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Philippine Coast Guard to explain why the USS Guardian was in the waters near the Tubbataha Reef, which are considered a “no navigation area.”

UNESCO declared the Tubbataha Reef a World Heritage Site in 1993. It covers 130,028 hectares and is home to thousands of marine species. With a report from ANC and The Philippine Star.

**kinyo** · January 21st, 2013 03:25 PM

nabuking yata pakalat-kalat ang barko sa dagat ... sana dun sila sa kabilang side ng palawan ... andun yung dapat nilang bantayan eh

**Monseratto** · January 21st, 2013 04:23 PM

I wonder how will the PH goverment demand restitution for any damage to the habitat. And how will it react if the USN refuse to pay...Will they ban the Seventh Fleet from entering the PH? Who needs who now?

**ronki** · January 21st, 2013 04:33 PM

May say ba ang mga kaliwete nung na stuck din yung chinese vessel satin?

**vinj** · January 21st, 2013 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by Monseratto

I wonder how will the PH goverment demand restitution for any damage to the habitat. And how will it react if the USN refuse to pay...Will they ban the Seventh Fleet from entering the PH? Who needs who now?

AFAIK, there's a cost per square whatever of reef destroyed.

How come when the Chinese vessel got grounded in the West Philippine Sea, walang epal? (cough... cough... ano BAYAN).

**Ry_Tower** · January 21st, 2013 06:11 PM

^^Don't bite the hand that feeds the d_ _ _?

Originally Posted by kinyo

nabuking yata pakalat-kalat ang barko sa dagat ... sana dun sila sa kabilang side ng palawan ... andun yung dapat nilang bantayan eh

Hehe, oo nga ano, papano kaya kung sa Chinese islands banda na-bahura!? :D

**CoDer** · January 21st, 2013 06:29 PM

Hayaan nyo silang punasan ang pwet ng China in the future.

**chua_riwap** · January 21st, 2013 06:37 PM

"erroneous navigation chart" daw ang dahilan.
or.... gusto lang mag R&R yung crew ng USS guardian at mag scuba diving sa tubbattaha, kaso nagaka aberya.
buking.........

**vinj** · January 22nd, 2013 09:20 AM

I read somewhere that the Detachment or park rangers in the area was trying to warn the ship but they did not listen... Kinda like that Lighthouse joke before eh. :D

Meanwhile, while activists and "politicians" holler for blood... Chinese 'occupation' of Bajo de Masinloc could reduce PH territorial waters by 38 percent - InterAksyon.com