The United States has formally offered to compensate for damage arising from the grounding of a US Navy ship in Tubbahata reef as salvage operations go on the full swing. "In a meeting at the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) on Feb. 4, US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr. reiterated his regrets over the grounding incident and assured foreign Affairs, Secretary Albert F. del Rosario, that the United States will provide appropriate compensation for damage to the reef caused by the ship," according to a joint statement released bt manila and Washington yesterday.

US, Philippines firm up Tubbataha arrangement. (2013, February 6). BusinessWorld, p. S1/11.