Tag: Benham Rise

China says it “fully respects” Philippines’ rights on Benham Rise

  (Eagle News) — China said it “fully respects the Philippines’ rights to the continental shelf of Benham Rise” and clarified that it has no intention of challenging these rights. This was China’s latest statement on the issue of Benham Rise coming from its foreign ministry amid various reports on the issue that seemed to try to put the Philippines and China at odds over this. “I’m willing to reiterate that China fully respects the Philippines’ […]

President Duterte on Chinese ships in Benham Rise: What incursion? They were research ships

(Eagle News) — What incursion? They were research ships. President Rodrigo Duterte allayed fears the Chinese had made an incursion into an underwater landmass 250 kilometers off the east coast of the main island of Luzon, well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, saying the foreign ships spotted by the Philippine Armed Forces there were only there for research. Duterte’s pronouncement in a news briefing on Monday appeared to be a response to a statement […]

Philippines insists, “Benham Rise is ours” as DND reveals plans to put up structures in area

(Eagle News) — The Philippines insisted on its rights and ownership of Benham Rise as the Department of National Defense said it would increase patrols and build structures in Benham Rise to ensure that the country would protect its rights over the area, which is considered as part of the country’s extended continental shelf. “Well, we will do something there,  we will increase our patrols at the same time, we might set up a structure to […]

DND, planong magtayo ng istruktura sa Benham Rise

(Eagle News) — Plano ng Department of National Defense (DND) na maglagay ng istraktura sa Benham Rise na magsasabing ito’y pag-aari ng Pilipinas. Ayon kay Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, ito ang nakikita nyang hakbang matapos ma-monitor ang pag-aligid umano roon ng Survey Ship ng China. Inatasan na rin umano sila ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na magdagdag ng mga magpapatrolya sa nasabing karagatan para maipakita na sakop ito ng teritoryo ng Pilipinas. ‘Di pag-aari ng PHL […]

China denies exploring Benham Rise, but confirms ships did pass through area

  The Chinese Embassy on Saturday denied it intentionally sailed to Benham Rise in Eastern part of Luzon off Aurora and Quezon province, saying they simply passed by international sea. In their website, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said their ships had the right of freedom of navigation in those waters, and its research ships did pass through seas northeast of Luzon Island last year. “After checking with relevant department, China’s relevant ocean research […]

DFA sends note verbale to China on Benham Rise ship activity

  (Eagle News) — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it has already sent a note verbale to the Chinese Embassy on the alleged presence of Chinese survey ships in Benham Rise, a 13-million hectare underwater plateau that had been recognized internationally as part of the country’s continental shelf. DFA Assistant Secretary Charles Jose told reporters that “the Philippines has sent a note to the Chinese Embassy seeking clarification on this.” Benham Rise is […]

Malacanang “concerned” about Chinese ships’ presence in Benham Rise

    (Eagle News) — Malacañang said it was concerned with the reported presence of Chinese survey ships at Benham Rise in the Pacific and Reed Bank in the South China Sea. “We are concerned about the presence of a Chinese ship in Benham Rise, which has been recognized by the United Nations as part of the Philippines,” Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.. The Department of National Defense has already notified the […]

Chinese survey ships entering Philippine territory: Manila

    MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Chinese survey ships have been entering waters recognized by the United Nations as Philippine territory, Manila’s defense secretary said Thursday, in a move he described as “very concerning”. Delfin Lorenzana said the ships were seen last year near Benham Rise — a Philippine territory 250 kilometres (155 miles) off the east coast of the main island of Luzon — as well as Reed Bank in the South China Sea, […]