MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 3, 2013) – The Philippine Coast Guard said one of two crane barges contracted by the United States Navy to retrieve its minesweeper USS Guardian stuck on a coral reef in Sulu Sea has arrived.
Coast Guard commandant Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena said the barge, which came from Singapore, is now in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan province. The second barge is now on its way to the Philippines.
The 68-meter USS Guardian, which came from Subic Bay in Zambales province in Luzon Island, hit the protected atoll of Tubbataha Reef last month after ignoring warning from park rangers and Filipino authorities that the ship is nearing the marine sanctuary.
Park rangers said they tried to approach the ship to talk to its officers, but the crew instead went to battleship position forcing the Filipinos to back off. The arrogance of the officers and crew of the ship drew wild protest from various patriotic and environmental groups.
The ship, manned by a crew of 62 officers and sailors, is based in Japan and equipped with Mine neutralization system and two .50 caliber machine guns.
Tubbataha, a marine sanctuary, is just 98 nautical miles southeast of Palawan province.
U.S. troops are deployed in the Philippines and training Filipino soldiers in anti-terrorism warfare. (Mindanao Examiner)
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