MV DA-BFAR was accompanied by three smaller ships – including one from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) – during the 20-hour trip which began 4 p.m. Friday at the port of Dinahican, a fishing village in Infanta, Quezon. It’s the first high-level expedition of the Philippine government to the resource-rich Benham Rise in the country’s east. Piñol is the first Cabinet secretary to board the MV DA-BFAR. National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said the government is eyeing the use of modern satellites to keep tabs on the country’s maritime borders and track down terrorists and lawless elements.

Quismorio, B., & Kabiling, G. (2017, May 8). PH to mark territory in Benham Rise expedition – Piñol. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 16.