Malacañang said Thursday it is not alarmed over China’s move to tag five underwater features of Philippine Rise with Chinese names, saying there was no bad faith involved and that bilateral relations remain intact. In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the Philippines will assert its sovereign rights over the Philippine Rise and would give Filipino names to each underwater feature found there. “Giving names does not mean they are claiming it. China recognizes that they have no rights at the Philippine Rise and they recognize our sovereign rights,” Roque said.

Barcelo, V., Tuyay, F., & Ramos-Araneta, M. (2018, February 16). PH ignores Chinese names on Benham. Manila Standard, p. A1.