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[av_heading heading=’‘Duterte says only Pinoys can explore Benham Rise’’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” 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 7, 2018
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MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte said only Filipinos can explore and conduct research at the 13-million-hectare Benham Rise, a 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.
Moreover, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources was ordered to dispatch multi-mission offshore vessels BRP Lapu-Lapu and BRP Francisco Dagohoy for surveillance.
During Monday’s Cabinet meeting, Duterte said, “Let me be very clear about this: the Philippine Rise is ours and any insinuation that it is open to everybody should end with this declaration.”
Piñol said Duterte issued the statement after a “low-level diplomat” said Benham Rise does not belong to the Philippines.
“Henceforth, only Filipino scientists will be allowed to conduct researches and exploration in the Philippine Rise,” Duterte said.
But Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque clarified that Duterte’s order was “not really a ban” on foreign researchers at Benham Rise.
“It’s just a directive that we want Filipinos to do it. That we are reserving it for Filipinos,” said Roque.
All licenses given to foreign entities from 2000 up to the present to conduct scientific research in Behnam Rise have been revoked, the spokesman said.
“All foreign companies that wish to conduct such scientific research must apply to the interagency and must get the personal approval from the national security adviser,” Roque said.
In January Roque said China was allowed to do research or survey at Benham Rise because “no one has applied and no one can do it because, apparently, it’s capital extensive.”/PN
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