The government is planning to acquire new maritime research vessels to be used in exploring territorial waters in the Philippine Rise. President Duterte gave the green light during a Cabinet meeting last Monday for the ship acquisition after asserting that marine resource exploration of the Philippine Rise would be reserved for Filipinos.

Kabiling, G. D. (2018, March 7). PH to purchase research vessels to explore territorial waters. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 11.