DFA: China may be granted permit to do research in Benham Rise if conditions set by PHL gov't. complied with

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 30): DFA: China may be granted permit to do research in Benham Rise if conditions set by PHL gov't. complied with

Should the Chinese government comply with the condition that a Filipino scientist should be on board to observe the study, the Philippine government may grant the request to make research activities in Benham Rise.

This was the assurance made by Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary Enrique Manalo in a chance interview Thursday.

"If they fulfill our requirements, may be they will be allowed," Manalo said.

He said this is the main reason why the Philippine government repeatedly denied China’s request because they refused to comply with the condition the government has set.

According to Manalo, Beijing has made a request to make research activities in Benham Rise which is believed to be very rich in natural resources.

Benham Rise is presumed to have hidden gems, thriving sea life and has galore of oil and gas reserves.

The chief envoy explained that despite denial of request made by the Philippine government, Chinese research vessels sneaked into the Benham Rise several times which forced President Rodrigo Duterte to send the navy vessel, BRP Alcaraz to guard the area.

He explained that any country who wished to study Benham Rise has to secure permission from the Philippine government based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

However, Manalo reiterate that China failed to comply with the condition that a Filipino scientist should be on board to observe the study and activities.

"That’s one requirement where perhaps China didn’t want it, so the permission was denied," he pointed out.

He said China still has pending requests to survey Benham Rise and they would only be granted should the country comply with requirements set by the Philippine government.

"There had been many, but certainly, I know a number have been denied and in fact two are still under consideration," he emphasized.

He noted that this condition applies not only to China but to all countries interested to make a research study.

Just recently, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Chinese survey ships, including research vessel were spotted in Benham Rise.

With this, Manalo said Manila sought immediate clarification from Beijing through a note verbale because "we weren’t really sure what it was doing."

"They (China) fully respect and recognize the sovereign rights of the Philippines in Benham Rise," Manalo claimed.

"This was confirmed two or three times. The implication is they will follow the rules laid out by UNCLOS, and that’s how we’re going to deal with this issue," he concluded.

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