President Duterte is planning to go to the Philippine Rise next week to assert the country’s ownership of the maritime area. Duterte, who has been accused of selling out the Philippines’ maritime interests in exchange for Chinese aid, said he is ready to go to war if another country claims it. He stressed that no other country can claim ownership of the Philippine Rise or Benham Rise.

Romero, A. (2018, April 28). Rody plans to visit Benham Rise next week. The Philippine Star, p. 11.