Phl leading probe on stuck USS Guardian off Sulu Sea: official

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippine government is leading the investigation into the grounded Navy ship of the United States in Tubbataha reef off Sulu Sea, a senior government official insisted today.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte made the statement contrary to the accusation of some people that the United States is the one leading the probe on the stuck USS Guardian in the world heritage site.

"Apparently, the Maritime Casualty Investigation Team that is being led by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is conducting an independent investigation on the grounding of the USS Guardian," she said in an interview over a state-run radio station.

She clarified that the invitation to Filipino officials by the United States to visit the Joint US Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) headquarters in Japan was just part of the ongoing investigation, adding that the PCG-led investigation team is separate from the US probe.

Dismantling operations have been ongoing to remove the US minesweeper, which has been stranded in the reef since it ran aground on Jan. 17 while enroute to its next port call in the Philippines. Authorities were hoping to complete the extrication of the vessel by April.