On 15 August, the Regional Trial Court Branch 51 issued an order granting the Provincial Government of Palawan the beneficial custody of the 500-gross ton Chinese fishing vessel, F/V Min Ping Yu, which ran aground in Tubbataha Reefs April last year.
The said vessel has been under the custody of the Philippine Coast Guard since it was salvaged in Tubbataha last year.
In a motion filed by the Provincial Government of Palawan, they have expressed their interest in keeping the vessel, which they will use in their campaign against illegal fishing through its law enforcement program with the Provincial Philippine National Police.
Until now, no compensation has been received both for the 3,902 sqm of coral damage and the PhP7-million salvage cost.