Miriam: US help on Tubbataha 'not enough'

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Miriam Santiago hit the United States embassy for referring to the Tubbataha reef incident as "an accident."

Santiago, an international law expert, said the US should instead admit that its Navy warship that ran aground on the marine sanctuary committed "a breach of international obligation."

"The American offer of compensation should not be viewed or made to appear as an indulgence in American magnanimity, but as a dictate of a legal obligation under international law," Santiago said.

She also urged the US, whether or not there was negligence involved, to take full responsibility for the destruction caused on the reef, which environmental experts have said would take 250 years to be fully restored.

"It is not enough for the US to apologize and offer forms of assistance. In my view, the statement issued by the US embassy makes American compensation and other activities look like foreign assistance, for which we Filipinos are expected to be grateful!" she said in a speech at the University of the Philippines Manila on Tuesday.

In January, United States Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. expressed regret over the damage done to the site.

“This was an unfortunate accident, and I recognize the legitimate concerns over the damage caused to a unique and precious wonder of nature, internationally recognized for its beauty and biological diversity,” Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. said

Salvaging of the ship in hopes to prevent further damage on the reef had recently been suspended due to rough waves.

Reports say it would take at least six weeks to pull out the vessel, though the duration still depends on weather and sea conditions.