The Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) called on the United States government to pay the $1.5 million it is seeking as compensation for the damage inflicted by its warship, the USGuardian, on the coral reefs in western Philippines.

A Philippine News Agency report published on Tuesday quoted TMO Manager Angelique Songco as saying that they have asked Washington for the compensation in a letter sent by the agency in April.

Songco said the move was a "breach of protocol" but the US government had acknowledged the receipt of the letter. She said the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs was furnished copies of the TMO's letter.

The TMO said it is seeking for the immediate payout of the $1.5 million because its funds have already been depleted.

"The funds that we've saved from years back, those we kept for rainy days and for the next few years, are now depleted. We are getting anxious and nervous," said Songco.

She said the $1.5 million the TMO is trying to collect may be considered "miniscule" for the US government.

"The amount is probably little to (Washington), but it means the world (to TMO), to Tubbataha to protect it," said Songco.

Based on Washington's reply, she said the US government is willing to pay for the damages. Recently, however, Songco disclosed that the TMO was told that there was a new claims process to be followed to be able to make the settlement.

"The US government should actualize not verbalize what it is willing to do about the damages its warship caused to Tubbataha," she said.

Songco said "it is not fair" for the Philippines and the TMO to beg for the compensation considering that it is the USGuardian which caused the damage on 2,000 square meters of corals when it ran aground in Tubbataha Natural Reef Park in Palawan island.