Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday said it is more beneficial for the Philippines to allow China to conduct marine scientific research at Benham Rise, as long as Filipino scientists are also involved and data collected is mutually shared.“So whether it’s protecting the environment or any sovereignty rights, meaning economic rights, in Benham Rise (now Philippine Rise), it’s more advantageous to us na mas maraming mag-research,” Cayetano told reporters at the sidelines of the launching of Passport on Wheels in Tarlac City. Cayetano was reacting to reports criticizing the Duterte administration for allowing China to conduct scientific research at Benham Rise.

Mabasa, R. C. (2018, January 25). Cayetano: Benham research more beneficial for Philippines. Manila Bulletin, p. 3.