China is not the only country whose application to conduct research on the resource-rich Benham Rise the Philippines has approved, Malacañang said on Thursday. The government has also allowed the US, Japan and South Korea to do research in the undersea area, according to Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr., who debunked claims by critics that the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte was biased for China. “Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano apprised me of the latest developments in Benham Rise [renamed Philippine Rise]. Request applications to conduct research by the United States, Japan and South Korea have likewise been approved,” Roque said in a statement sent to reporters.

3 more states to do research in PH Rise. (2018, January 26). The Manila Times, pp. A1, A7.