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[av_heading heading=’‘DFA must settle Benham Rise features issue’’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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February 14, 2018
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MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs was urged to settle the issue on Benham Rise (Philippine Rise) undersea features.
China has reportedly given names to five features at the offshore frontier that covers the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano “should settle this issue with China,” Sen. Panfilo Lacson said on Wednesday.
“Nagpo-protest ang executive, according to the spokesperson. They should pursue, not just give lip service,” Lacson said.
Giving Chinese names to Benham Rise features may create an impression that China may lay claim to the area, said the senator.
“Ano’ng next move? That’s the more important question,” Lacson said.
“Remember, basta (South China Sea) parang kine-claim nila ang mga islands and shoals na naroon,” he said.
“Bakit in the first place papangalanan ng Chinese names ang sea mounts and features sa Benham Rise na alam ng lahat declared na talagang Philippine territory?” he added.
On the other hand, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III is “not bothered.”
“I don’t see the problem,” Pimentel said. “And I am sure even without reading the Convention – hindi ko pa nababasa – I’m sure no country has the exclusive power or right to name features, but sovereign rights, iba iyon.”
He added: “Without reading the Convention, or the treaty or the rules governing the naming, common sense tells me that no one has a monopoly of the power or the right to name features on earth.”/PN
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