Chinese ship may be removed from Tubbataha on Saturday

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said that the Chinese fishing vessel can be re-floated and towed from the Tubbataha Reef on Saturday.

Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista, PCG Palawan district head, said that the Chinese vessel can float again as its hull, engines and propellers remain intact.

"The ship's hull is intact. It's not like the case of the USS Guardian, which was badly holed upon her grounding last January 17," Evangelista said.

He said that the Chinese ship's hull, engines and propellers were not damaged by its grounding because of its metal structure.

Evangelista said they are confident that the Chinese vessel can be re-floated after its de-fueling or lightening, which may started once the BRP Corregidor arrives on Saturday morning in Tubbataha.

He said that the PCG vessel, which will be assisted by BRP Romblon, will remove at least 8,000 liters of fuel from the stricken Chinese ship aside from its cargoes.

"Once this is done, we will try to tow her (Chinese ship) during the high tide," Evangelista said.

The Chinese fishing vessel, which has 12 crew members, ran aground 1.1 nautical miles east of the Tubbataha Ranger Station on Monday night.

Poaching and bribery charges have been filed against the 12 Chinese crew members, who have been ordered transferred to the Palawan provincial jail.