An environmental group yesterday criticized the "silence" of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on the environmental impact of USS Guardian in Tubbahata Reef- a known United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site. Kalikasan national coordinator Clemente Bautista Jr. said "the silence of DENR regarding the Tubbahata incident shows their indifference towards our national patrimony." DENR Secretary Ramon Paje, who is also a UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines Commissioner, has kept mum on the Tubbataha incident and has "failed to carry the call and demand of the people to make the US Navy accountable," Bautista said.

De Vera, E. B. (2013, February 5). DENR hit for Tubbataha silence. Manila Bulletin, p. 5.