President Rodrigo Duterte said only Filipinos can explore and conduct research at the 13-million hectare Benham Rise, Cabinet official said on Tuesday. Duterte ordered the Philippine Navy to "chase out" any foreign fishing or research vessel in the disputed area, said Agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol. According to Piñol, the President also directed the Department of National defense and the Philippine Air Force to check on the presence of foreign ships there.

Golez, P. (2018, February 07). 'Only Filipino can explore Benham Rise'. Panay News, pp. 7, 14.