Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto is calling on the Duterte administration to come up with a comprehensive strategy to protect Benham Rise from foreign incursion. Recto was reacting to reports of a Chinese survey ship spotted in sea off the provinces of Aurora and Isabela. Recto said that without a protection strategy, Benham Rise could easily be taken over not only by poachers but foreign countries interested in exploring the plateau’s marine and mineral resources.

Aben, E. L. (2017, March 13). Plan to protect Benham Rise urged. Manila Bulletin, p. 4.