Bayan questions presence of another US vessel in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - Militant group Bayan on Friday said the incident at the Tubbataha Reefs in Sulu Sea involving yet another US warship raises more questions on the unhampered entry and permanent presence of American forces under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Bayan made the statement after the USS Guardian, a 68-meter minesweeper of the US Navy, ran aground the Tubbataha Reefs, a natural park and a World Heritage Site in the Sulu Sea.

"If the US troops and the VFA were left off the hook in that incident [in Subic] by local authorities and all the blame were pinned on the private contractor Glenn Defense Marine, the Tubbataha case points directly to the US Navy. They have no more excuses," Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said.

He also questioned what the USS Guardian was doing in the Tubbataha area and the nature of its supposed visit.

"What was its mission in Palawan? Is the US operating a base there? What was the approved joint activity that allowed the US to move around our waters? More importantly, what is the Philippine government going to do regarding this incident?” Reyes said.

He added that Filipino and American officials are making it appear that the US warships are merely conducting routine port calls.

He said the US Navy must also be held liable for the damage to the coral reefs brought about by its unauthorized entry.

"This is already strike two for US troops. This kind of activity by US forces, being able to roam freely in our waters without respect for domestic laws, should end. The disrespect by the US towards the Tubbataha authorities should be looked into as well," Reyes said. - Dennis Carcamo