The government must immediately draft a comprehensive strategy to protect Benham Rise from foreign incursion, Sen. Ralph Recto said yesterday. “No ifs or buts. The government must have a ‘Benham Rise Protection Strategy.’ A comprehensive strategy – military, diplomatic, economic – in holding on to and developing Benham Rise,” Recto said. Recto made the call following reports that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has sent a note verbale to the Chinese embassy to clarify the reported presence of a Chinese survey ship near Benham Rise, a 13-million hectare underwater plateau off the coast of Aurora province.

Romero, P. (2017, March 13). Senator calls for Benham Rise protection strategy. The Philippine Star, p. 7.