Palace insists Phl leading probe on grounding of US ship

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday maintained the Philippines is leading the investigation into the grounding of USS Guardian in Tubbataha Reef, contrary to allegations of some groups.

“Apparently, the Maritime Casualty Investigation Team that is being led by the Philippine Coast Guard is conducting an independent investigation on the grounding of the USS Guardian,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Valte said the details provided by critics were not clarified.

She said the invitation for the Philippine team to meet the US team in Japan is going to help both sides to determine the cause of the grounding and to adapt safety and navigational measures that will prevent future incidents.

“The investigation of the Maritime Casualty Investigation Team is different. But remember, since our people were also on the ground, on the extrication, we also are in possession of information that can help the US team to determine what can be done moving forward for them to avoid this kind of incident,” Valte said.

A private fact-finding mission asked President Aquino on Thursday why the US government had taken charge of the investigation into the Tubbataha incident and claimed the Philippine authorities were left out of the investigation.

Fernando Hicap, of the militant Anakpawis group, one of the main organizers of the 15-man  Sovereignty and Environmental Mission that went to Tubbataha last week, said the US government should be the subject of investigation and the political object of criminal cases which the Philippine state should file against officials and crew members of the grounded American minesweeper.

Hicap issued the sharp response to the statement made by the US government on Thursday, saying they would invite officials of the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard to participate in the US-led probe on the grounding of the warship in Tubbataha, a UNESCO declared World Heritage site.

Lt. Col. Jason Chamness, deputy chief of the Joint US Military Assistance Group, said Philippine officials would be invited to the JUSMAG headquarters in Japan.