Malacañang said on Saturday that they wanted to change the name of the "Benham Rise" to "Philippine Rise" to stress our rights to the disputed island.
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said that the move aims to "emphasize Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the area."
“The DFA and Office of the Executive Secretary have been tasked to look into the possibility of changing the name of ‘Benham Rise’ to ‘Philippine Rise,” he added.
Benhan Rise is a 13-million hectare underwater plateau located east off Aurora province.
It was discovered by American Admiral Andrew Benham and is believed to have rich resources of gas and mineral resources.
“A motion has been made subject to the conduct of the requisite legal and logistical study to effect the change,” Abella noted.
Based on reports of the Department of National Defense (DND), Chinese survey ships were spotted for three months last year within the area.
China denied the allegation but previously stated that the Philippines could not claim the territory even after United Nations declaration of exclusivity to our economic zone.
President Rodrigo Duterte assures that China won't claim the Benham Rise.
Source: Rappler
Image: Philippine Star
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