Filipinos Get Angry At A U.S. Minesweeper Which Ran Aground Off Their World Heritage Site

Protesters are blocked by police as they attempt to march closer to the U.S. Embassy in Manila Monday Feb. 4, 2013 to protest the incident involving the USS Guardian, a U.S. minesweeper, which ran aground off Tubbataha Reef, a World Heritage Site, southwest of the Philippines. Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. James Stockman said last week that dismantling the USS Guardian was determined to be the best solution and would involve the least damage to the Tubbataha Reef, a protected marine sanctuary where the ship got stuck Jan. 17. Damage to the reef is now estimated by officials to be more than 4,000 square meters.

Protesters burn a mock American flag during a rally at the U.S. Embassy in Manila Monday Feb. 4, 2013 to protest the incident involving the USS Guardian, a U.S. minesweeper, which ran aground off Tubbataha Reef, a World Heritage Site, southwest of the Philippines.

Protesters display placards during a rally at the U.S. Embassy in Manila Monday Feb. 4, 2013 to protest the incident involving the USS Guardian, a U.S. minesweeper, which ran aground off Tubbataha Reef, a World Heritage Site, southwest of the Philippines. <AP Photo/Bullit Marquez>