The United Nations arbitral court had issued a decision rejecting China’s historical claim over most parts of the SCS and favoring the Philippine claim over parts of the Spratly island chain and the Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal. While the Philippine (Benham) Rise is the best chance of the country in boosting energy supply, it poses problems that the young generations of Filipinos have to face this century, he pointed out. Enrile said the direction of President Duterte in proposing a joint exploration with China for hydrocarbons in the SCS “is correct.”

Casayuran, M. B. (2018, March 17). Joint exploration with China in WPS is the better approach — JPE. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 7.