The militant fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas on Tuesday lambasted the Department of Foreign Affairs for allowing China, in partnership with the Philippines, to conduct an unspecified research activities in Philippine Rise, also known as Benham Rise. “This seemingly ‘joint research’ between our country and China in Philippine Rise is a pretext of Beijing’s another occupation activity in our marine territory. Just like what it did in the West Philippine Sea, we will soon be surprised that our resource-rich waters have been already reclaimed by China with its established defense facilities,” Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya chairperson, said in a statement. Philippine Rise is a 13-million hectare resource rich underwater plateau located opposite to the disputed waters of South China Sea; it is endowed with abundant marine species like first-class tuna, and untapped mineral and gas deposits.

Casas, B. (2018, January 17). Fisherfolk rejects 'joint research' in Benham Rise. Manila Standard, p. A3.