President Duterte on Thursday said that he was planning to set sail for the Philippine Rise next week in order to assert the country’s sovereignty over the area. Mr. Duterte bared this plan in a speech before Masons where he defended his administration’s friendship with China amid their maritime dispute over the South China Sea, while also saying he would not allow any other country to claim the Philippine (formerly Benham) Rise.The Philippine Rise, a 24-million-hectare undersea feature off the country’s eastern coast, is believed to be rich in resources. In his speech on Thursday, the President brought up China’s offer for a joint exploration in the South China Sea, and he told Beijing that he could offer a “better deal”—a 60-40 division.

Salaverria, L. B. (2018, April 28). Du30 plans PH Rise trip to assert sovereignty. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A4.