The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is scheduled to patrol the Benham Rise for the first time following reports of Chinese presence in the region. Commander Armand A. Balilo, PCG spokesperson, said that they are still verifying the activities of Chinese vessels in Benham Rise, but they have been monitoring these. The spokesman also admitted that the PCG has limited capability to patrol the region. “We have challenges in the south that we have to attend to, the ASEAN security meeting, the security preparations. But as I’ve said, we have included that in the deployment plan and definitely, we will be there as soon as the weather is clear,” Mr. Balilo said in an interview Monday with CNN Philippines.

What lies beneath Benham Rise?. (2017, March 14). BusinessWorld, S1/12.