Philippines won't file diplomatic protest against US over Tubbataha Reef

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippine government does not see the need to file a diplomatic protest against the United States after the extrication of its stuck Navy ship and the damage assessment have been completed on the Tubbataha Reef off Sulu Sea, a senior government official said today.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, in a text message to reporters, said that Washington has been cooperating so far on the investigation into the grounding of USS Guardian.

"A diplomatic protest may be unnecessary at this point given that the United States has been cooperating with our maritime investigation and has committed to the compensation and rehabilitation of the reef," she said.

Based on the joint assessment conducted by the Philippines and the US authorities, about 2,345.67 square meters of corals were damaged by the grounded US minesweeper, lower than the initial estimate of 4,000 square meters.

Under Republic Act 10067, or the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act of 2009, the United States has to pay a fine of about P60 million (about $1.4 million).

"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," Valte said.

The USS Guardian, which got stuck on the UNESCO World Heritage site since Jan. 17, was finally removed from the reef on March 30 after it was cut into pieces.