In a bid to protect the country’s territory, President Duterte has authorized the military to fire at foreign intruders trying to extract natural resources from the Philippine Rise. The President asserted that the area previously called Benham Rise belongs to the Philippines, adding the country claims ownership of the extended continental shelf even if it reaches Guam. “If you get something there from the economic zone, I will order the Navy to fire.

Kabiling, G. (2018 February 11). Duterte warns Philippine Rise trespassers, poachers. Manila Bulletin, p. 6.