President Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed Executive Order (EO) No. 25 officially renaming Benham Rise to Philippine Rise -- the potentially resource-rich plateau off the east coast of Luzon island recognized by the United Nations (UN) as within the Philippines’ economic zone. The document also orders the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) -- through consultations with the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) and “other relevant government agencies” -- to communicate the order to concerned international bodies. The signing of the EO is in keeping with Mr. Duterte’s promise to change the name of Benham Rise to assert the Philippine sovereignty there following reports that Chinese research vessels were spotted surveying the area last year.

Cigaral, I. N. (2017, May 23). EO renames Benham Rise as Philippine Rise. Business World, p. S1/11.