An international marine conservation group is calling on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to release documents that it used as basis for allowing China to conduct research in Benham or Philippine Rise. Oceana, through its local unit, made the call as Chinese vessel Ke Hue Hao arrived in the waters off Palanan, Isabela yesterday to begin its research work in Benham. In a letter to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Oceana said allowing a foreign government to conduct research activities in Philippine waters without stakeholder participation and transparency raises a lot of questions.

Simeon, L. M., Diaz, J., & Romero, P. (2018, January 25). Clarify terms of Chinese research in Benham, gov't urged. The Philippine Star, p. 6.