Groups to sue US Navy for Tubbataha damage

Militant groups said on Friday that they would be suing before the Department of Justice next week the US Navy officials and the 79 crew member of USS Guardian which ran aground on Tubbataha Reef last Jan. 17.

Fisherfolk group Pamalakaya and Anakpawis party list said the complaint will be filed before the DOJ main office in Manila on Monday.

"The Filipino people should continue to pursue the cause for justice and sovereignty...There is no substitute to justice and sovereignty," the groups said.

The groups said that while the public apology issued by visiting US lawmakers in the country regarding the Tubbataha incident is good, the American legislators should not think that justice has already been served.

"We all deserve justice and full respect of our national sovereignty more than the press statements issued by Washington officials. We don't live in forgive and forget politics. This is why a formal complaint against the rapists of Tubbataha Reef park will be filed on Monday," the groups added.

Earlier, Pamalakaya and Anakpawis party list scored President Benigno Aquino III for allowing  the crew of USS Guardian to leave the country and return to their home port in Sasebo, Japan several days after after incident. - Dennis Carcamo