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[av_heading heading=’BENEATH & BEYOND | Rise, Philippines’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY SONIA D. DAQUILA
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Sunday, March 19, 2017
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BENHAM Rise created a new uproar among concerned Filipinos. Several issues have been raised:
1. What is Benham Rise?
2. Is the survey or research by China on Benham Rise an act of incursion into Philippine territory?
3. Did the Secretary of National Defense and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs have prior knowledge about the “permission” granted by the President to China?
4. Are the acts of surveying and conducting research in Benham Rise falling under the category of “innocent passage” as claimed by China?
Benham is the name of an American geologist who discovered the continental shelf in 1933 and such continental shelf of the Philippines was named after him. Before the United Nations, the Philippines had proven that it is attached to our national territory. It is within the 370 km (200 nautical miles) from the archipelagic baseline, and within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.
If we are not vigilant, unless we are threatened to lose what really are ours, we tend to neglect to do what is appropriate. The Philippines is the only claimant of Benham Rise and it is too near to our country. But despite the discovery in 1933, the claim was filed to the United Nations only in 2008 by former ambassador to the United Nations Hilario Davide, and the formal claim filed in the subsequent year.
In 2012, the United Nations approved our territorial claim of 13 million hectares of undersea territory which rightfully belong to us.
Benham Rise or Benham Plateau contains large deposits of minerals that can yield more than sufficient amount of gas deposits. It is pristine, a paradise down below. The Philippines is naturally and abundantly endowed with riches beyond our imagination. Haven’t you asked, what do our leaders do?
Finally, is that survey or research falling under “innocent passage”? The United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) defines innocent passage…as innocent…NOT STOPPING OR ANCHORING unless during situations in force majeure. Did the Chinese vessels ever stop? Yes, indeed for weeks or months seemingly doing nothing.
Indeed, it is so difficult to reconcile inconsistencies. Did the secretaries (the alter-egos of the President) know about “the research” or “survey” prior to the Chinese attempts to discover more “secrets” under the sea?
The President and his men have different versions, as usual.
Is there incursion into our territory? No, the President had given the Chinese “researchers” permission, but yes, if we delineate the extent of the President’s power to enter into a contract or agreement with other nations, much more when it involves “controversies” involving delicate matters, subject to the approval of the legislative branch of government.
We know how weak we are. We know we have no match with China which is one of the permanent members of the United Nations Organization. China again claims that the Philippines has no right, despite the United Nations decision.
First, the Panatag Shoal, next Benham Rise. What is next? United Nations affirmed our rights. Is this not betrayal of our patrimony? (delsocorrodaquila@gmail.com/PN)
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