By Priam F. Nepomuceno | Philippines News Agency
TO demonstrate Philippine sovereignty and control over Benham Rise, Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana is eyeing the increase of patrols in the area.
The maritime feature is located off the coast of Aurora and Isabela provinces.
Lorenzana added that the increase of Philippine patrols in the area would demonstrate to everyone that the area is under Filipino jurisdiction.
“Well, we will do something there, maybe we will increase our patrols, at the same time, we might set up a structure to say that [Benham Rise] is ours,” Lorenzana said in Filipino.
Earlier, China claimed that its ships were only exercising the right of innocent passage when the Department of National Defense announced that several Chinese survey ships were spotted in the area last year.
Lorenzana disputed the Chinese claim and said ships exercising the right to innocent passage steam on a definite course and speed and do not constantly change course and speed.
The 13-million-hectare Benham Rise is believed to be a mineral-rich area and awarded to the Philippines by the United Nations in 2012.
Previously, Chinese survey ships were also seen off Scarborough Shoal and Reed Bank surveying the sea bed for possible mineral deposits, he added.
The Chinese have gained total control of Scarborough Shoal (also known as Panatag) after a standoff with the Philippine Navy in April 2012.
On Monday the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the government will protect the country’s sovereign rights to areas, like the Benham Rise, on east of Luzon.
Foreign Spokesman Charles C. Jose said every nation needs to protect its territory against any aggressor.
“Strengthening our capability is our way to assert and protect our sovereign rights and jurisdiction over our maritime entitlements,” Jose told reporters.
He did not elaborate how and in what form the government will protect the country’s sovereign rights.
China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang had acknowledged the 2012 ruling of the UN, but said “it does not mean that the Philippines can take it as its own territory.”
Geng confirmed that Chinese vessels for “marine research” passed through Benham Rise, but insisted this was only in exercise of the principle of “freedom of navigation” and “right to innocent passage”.
Meanwhile, to prevent another Chinese incursion in the Benham Rise, a senator called on the Executive department to craft a comprehensive strategy aimed at protecting the 13-million-hectare underwater plateau.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto made the statement following reports that the DFA has sent a note verbale to the Chinese Embassy to clarify the reported presence of a Chinese survey ship near Benham Rise.
Recto said that, without a protection strategy, the Benham Rise may easily “fall prey” not only to poachers but foreign countries interested in exploring the plateau’s marine and mineral resources.
“No ifs or buts. The government must have a ‘Benham Rise Protection Strategy’. A comprehensive strategy—military, diplomatic, economic—in holding on to and developing Benham Rise,” Recto said.
“We have practically lost the seas west and north of us. We cannot be encircled. The Eastern side of the country should be defended, as well,” he added.
He, however, said he was not referring to just “one country”.
“I am not singling out China. But this goes out to all countries who might be tempted by the riches underneath the Benham Rise,” Recto added.
He said the government should also focus its attention not only on Benham Rise, but other areas on the Pacific side of the country.
He noted that the Benham Rise is also believed to be a rich source of manganese and natural gas, aside from its diverse marine life.
“The Pacific side has always been the unattended portion of our archipelago. There are many places there that are underdeveloped. It is time for us to pivot,” he also said.
Recto stressed that the government should not be caught unwares.
“We should not allow that area to be partitioned like a frontier homestead. Or cut up into blocks to be controlled and exploited by others,” Recto said.
Recto also urged the Senate to should consider expediting a bill filed by Sen. Juan Edgardo M. providing for the creation of a Benham Rise Development Authority (BRDA)—the lead agency that will be mandated to conduct scientific research and exploration in the plateau.
Under Angara’s measure, BRDA will take the lead in formulating and implementing a development road map for Benham Rise, ensuring that it is aligned with the Philippine Development Plan.
With Butch Fernandez