Manila will not file diplomatic protest against US over reef

This undated photo released by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shows a portion of the stern of the USS Guardian being lifted by a boat crane during its salvage operation at Tubbataha Reef, in Palawan island.

By Catherine S Valente/Manila Times

Malacanang yesterday said the filing of a diplomatic protest against the US (US) over the grounding of the USS Guardian on Tubbataha reef is unnecessary.

Palace deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte said the situation does not call for the filing of a diplomatic protest as long as the US fulfills its commitment to pay for the damage done on the reef.

She explained that the protest should only be lodged if the US does not take action.

“A diplomatic protest may be unnecessary at this point given that the US has been co-operating with our maritime investigation and has committed to the compensation and rehabilitation of the reef,” Valte said.

The Palace spokesperson, moreover, said that the P58mn earlier assessed as due compensation by the Tubbataha Management Office is in accordance with the laws.

She noted that Washington is taking appropriate steps to compensate the country for the damage.

“The amount as assessed by the Tubbataha Management Office is in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 10067 which serves as the basis for the fine,” she added

Earlier, Park superintendent Angelique Songco said the amount is based on studies by Philippine agencies including the coast guard that found the USS Guardian damaged at least 2,345 square metres (25,240 square feet) of the protected Tubbataha reef.

She said a letter requesting compensation would be sent to the US embassy next week, stressing that the amount is in accordance with a law passed to protect the reef, which is a UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation world heritage site located in a remote area of the Sulu Sea.

“We don’t want to be dishonest. It is just a simple process: measure it correctly and then they pay. That is all. It is very straightforward,” she added

Meanwhile, environmentalists are optimistic that the payment for damage from the US would allow the Tubbataha Management Office to have a significant endowment fund to sustain its operations in the marine sanctuary.