The Philippine government has taken up with Beijing the matter of Chinese-named undersea features at Philippine Rise, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Ernesto C. Abella said on Wednesday, Feb. 28. Mr. Abella said research work by the Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS) was tackled in last February’s bilateral consultation meeting in Manila. He also noted that both sides, China and the Philippines, “agreed that all marine science researches henceforth have the consent of the Philippines.” Whether the Philippine government intends to register its objection before the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) that approved China’s proposed names, Mr. Abella said: “At this stage, we will have to proceed from henceforth.”

Balinbin, A. L. (2018, March 1). DFA: China, PHL tackled Benham Rise. BusinessWorld, p. S1/10.