Malacañang assured the public that there is no reason to be alarmed over China's move to name five underwater features in the Philippine Rise despite the Philippine's sovereign rights over the region. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement following reports that China has named five underwater features in the Philippine Rise, formerly known as Benham Rise, saying these were discovered by Chinese researchers over the past 20 years.

Geducos, A. C. B. (2018, February 16). Palace: No bad faith seen in China's naming PH rising features. Manila Bulletin, p. 2.