Penalty of $1.4m for US reef-wreckers 'too light'

In a statement, Legarda, a candidate on President Aquino’s senatorial ticket in next month’s mid-term elections, said the Department of Justice (DOJ) must fully assess how much the US Navy should pay in penalty for the damage.

A principal author of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act of 2009, former Senator Jamby Madrigal, said the government should have imposed higher penalties on the US Navy. .

“The $1.4 million is loose change compared to the long-term damage to the reef caused by the USS Guardian. While there is a set formula for computing [the] damage under the law, I believe the Philippine government should impose more by way of exemplary damages,” she said.

But the government is satisfied with the $1.4-million fine announced by the marine park authorities.

President Aquino’s deputy spokesperson, Abigail Valte, pointed out that the assessment was in accordance with the Tubbataha law.

Valte said a diplomatic protest was unnecessary, as the US government had cooperated and helped in the Philippine investigation and promised to pay compensation for the damage and assist in the reef’s rehabilitation. The US Navy has relieved from duty the ship’s commanding officer, Lt-Commander Mark Rice, as well as the executive officer and navigator, the assistant navigator and the officer of the deck, pending a separate US investigation of the grounding.

Legarda’s statement came after the Tubbataha Management Office announced that it would fine the US Navy $1.4 million, or $600 for every square metre of damaged reef.

“How was the $1.4 million assessed and who made the assessment?” countered Legarda.