Insisting the Philippine Rise is ours, President Duterte is putting a stop to the marine research and other exploration activities by foreign groups in the area. The President has decided that only Filipinos would be allowed to explore the Philippine Rise, previously known as Benham Rise, and directed military’s air and naval assets to chase away any foreign vessels in the area. The President’s latest directives were issued during a Cabinet meeting in Malacañang last Monday, according to Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.

Kabiling, G. D. (2018, February 7). Leave PH Rise alone – Duterte. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 6.