Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo downplays concerns over the presence of a Chinese ship in Benham Rise.
When asked by media if the government allowed China to conduct research in Benham Rise, Manalo answered, “We have no policy on that.”
“There are ships passing through the area exercising freedom of navigation. But the fact that this is within the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines, any ship would have to get permission from the Philippines if they wish to undertake research et cetera. If they get permission, then of course, they can do it. But they have to request it first,” he said.
When Manalo was asked whether the agreement to allow the Chinese ships to survey the area was relayed to him, he said: “Well, I’m not aware of any, anything along the lines you said. What I am definitely sure, as I have just mentioned, is that first of all, China has reaffirmed that the Philippines has sovereign rights over the Benham Rise area. Their official spokesman said this. And that the President has, in fact, given instructions for patrols in the Benham Rise area,” he explained.
Manalo said the government sent China a note verbale either late last year or early this year – after it gained knowledge of a Chinese ship staying in the area of Benham Rise for a prolonged period of time.
The note verbale was not a protest but a request for information or clarification about the ship’s whereabouts and the nature of its activities.
Exchange of statements
Earlier, Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Chinese survey ships were reportedly spotted in Benham Rise.
Lorenzana, as well as Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella, said the government is concerned about the presence of Chinese ships in the area.
Abella said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has already been notified on the matter, so they could “continue to assert our sovereignty over our territory.”
Read: PH, China exchange statements over ships spotted in Benham Rise
Lorenzana said the DFA has already sent 12 diplomatic protests to China since August 2016, but allegations have either ignored or denied.
China said its research ships indeed passed through Philippine waters, but there should be no cause for alarm.
In a Reuters report, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, “But this is purely carrying out normal freedom of navigation and right of innocent passage, and there were no so-called other activities or operations.”
Indisputable rights
DFA Spokesperson Charles Jose said there is no doubt to the country’s claim over Benham Rise.
Read: DFA: PH ownership of Benham Rise “indisputable”
He said, “Yes, sa Pilipinas yan! Walang duda roon, no? In-award na ito sa Pilipinas bilang bahagi ng ating EEZ (exclusive economic zone) and extended continental shelf…Eto talaga, indisputable.”
[Translation: Yes, it belongs to the Philippines! There is no doubt about that. This was awarded to the Philippines as part of its exclusive economic zone and extended continental shelf…This is indisputable.]”
Things to know about Benham Rise
Benham Rise is a 13 million hectare undersea landmass found off the provinces of Isabela and Aurora.
It is connected to the Luzon margin through the Bicol Saddle to the southwest and Palanan Saddle to the east.
Previous studies by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources indicate potentially large deposits of methane in solid form in the area.
In April 2008, the country filed a partial territorial waters claim on Benham Rise with the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.
In April 2012, in the absence of other claims to the area, the UN granted the Philippines’ claim to Benham Rise.
CNN Philippines’ JC Gotinga contributed to this story.
