President Rodrigo Duterte is inclined to put in writing an agreement allowing China’s research ships into local waters. Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella assured that the President remains committed to protecting and defending the nation’s interests in the wake of criticisms arising from the presence of Chinese survey ships over the resource-rich area located east of Luzon. At the Senate, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian announced that he would fast-track the passage of the legislation seeking to create the Benham Rise Development Authority (BRDA), a multi-agency government body tasked to oversee the defense and development of the territory.

Kabiling, G., & Torregoza, H. (2017, March 17). Benham Rise visits may be put in writing. Manila Bulletin, p. 4.