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[av_heading heading=’PH to name Benham Rise features, too, says Palace’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’18’ 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 ADRIAN STEWART CO
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February 16, 2018
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MANILA – Malacañang disclosed that the Philippines will also give names to undersea features in Benham Rise, also known as Philippine Rise.
But while the Philippine government rejected the names that China gave five hills and seamounts at the offshore frontier, the Palace said there was no “bad faith” in the naming.
“Wala naman po (bad faith) kasi ang nangyari diyan hindi tayo miyembro noong body na iyon,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque told a press briefing on Thursday.
The International Hydrographic Organization approved last year the names China gave five undersea features in Benham Rise.
“Ang alam kosa DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), magno-nominate na tayo ng sariling eksperto sa body naiyon, hindi lang ako at authority to say kung sino ang ino-nominate natin,” Roque said.
He added: “Ang stand natin: bahala kayo kung ano ang ibigay niyo diyan, basta kami magtatalaga kami ng Pilipinong pangalan gaya ng ginawa nanamin sa pag bale wala sa doon sa pangalang binigay ng mga Amerikano sa lugar naiyan.”
Moreover, Roque believes naming undersea features at the Philippine Rise would not affect the relations between Manila and Beijing.
“Siguro naman po hindi sila maapektuhan dahil wala nga pong kontrobersyasa Philippine Rise,” he said. “Siguro po makakaapekto ito kung nangyari ito doon sa lugar na mayroong ongoing dispute.”
“Pero dahil malinaw na malinaw naman po na ang Benham Rise is under our sovereign rights, we do not see any basis for China to be alarmed with our position that we will insist on our naming rights,” he added.
In 2012 the United Nations approved the Philippines’ claim to Benham Rise – which the government renamed Philippine Rise last year – a 13-million hectare underwater landmass located east of Aurora province believed to be rich in gas and mineral resources./PN
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