Palace: Coast Guard probe on USS Guardian grounding is separate from US inquiry

Malacañang on Saturday said the USS Guardian Tubataha grounding probe by the US is different and separate from the investigation of the Philippine Coast Guard.

 

“The maritime casualty investigation team led by the Philippine Coast Guard is conducting an independent investigation on grounding of the USS Guardian," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigal Valte said on government-run dzRB radio.

"Iba pa ang investigation ng maritime casualty investigation team," she added.  

Valte said the Philippines may be able to help in the US investigation, by contributing information on how to avoid a similar accident in the future.

 

“Since our people were also on the ground (in the) extrication, we are in possession of information that can help the us team to determine ano ang pupuwede pa gawin (what we can do) moving forward to avoid this kind of incident,” she said.

 

The US government had reportedly invited Philippine officials to Japan for a briefing on the investigation into the USS Guardian’s grounding.

 

US Ambassador to Manila Harry Thomas Jr. was also quoted in earlier reports as saying the US “will share the details with President Aquino and Philippine government investigators.”

 

The USS Guardian ran aground at Tubbataha Reef last January. The Tubbataha Management Office estimated it may have damaged at least 4,000 square meters of the reef.

 

The Philippine Coast Guard earlier said it may take until early April to cut the hull of the USS guardian into four parts and remove them from the reef.  — ELR, GMA News