5-man PCG team to fly to Japan for USS Guardian probe

MANILA, Philippines - Five officials from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will go to Japan today to participate in the second stage of investigations on the grounding of the minesweeper USS Guardian in Tubbataha Reef last January 17.

The PCG's five-man Coast Guard Marine Casualty team will go to the United States' naval base in Sasebo, Japan to meet with their counterparts.

Leading the team are Coast Guard deputy commandant and marine casualty team chairman Rear Admiral Luis Tuason Jr. and Palawan commander and team vice chairman Commodore Enrico Evangelista.

PCG commandant Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena said the five-member team is to exchange information with the US Navy and may return as early as Friday.

He added that the team will have 10 days to prepare and submit a report to Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, who in turn will submit it to President Benigno Aquino III.

An investigation showed the USS Guardian damaged 2,345.67 square meters of the reef.

Salvage teams managed to cut and remove the ship from the reef only last March 30.

Days after the USS Guardian was removed, a Chinese fishing vessel with 12 crewmen ran aground in the reef last April 8.

Several charges, including poaching and bribery, have been filed against the 12 Chinese crewmen of the ill-fated fishing vessel.