Benham Rise not part of the country’s national territory. We don’t have sovereignty over it like we do over Cebu, Manila or Iloilo. However, we do have exclusive rights to explore the area and exploit whatever natural resources are found therein, as it is part of our Extended Continental Shelf (ECS). There is nothing wrong in trading one hegemon (the US) for another (China), but only if the transition serves the country’s interests. So the important question to the issue is: Will the Philippines be better off under China’s sphere of influence or not?

Del Rosario, J. J. (2017, March 19). Benham Rise: Looking at the big picture. Panay News, p. 7.