Lorenzana told reporters who attended the “Kapihan sa Kampo”, held at the Honor Hall of the National Defense College of the Philippines in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Thursday, that Chinese ships have not only been violating the country’s exclusive economic zone at the West Philippine Sea but also on the Pacific Ocean. The 13-million-hectare Benham Rise is believed to be an oil-rich area and awarded to the Philippines by the United Nations in 2012.

Navy to drive away Chinese survey ships off Benham Rise. (2017, March 10). Business Mirror, p. A3.