'We are not a nation of beggars': Expert defends PH research on Benham Rise ABS-CBN News Posted at Jan 24 2018 08:12 AM | Updated as of Jan 24 2018 11:09 AM

'We are not a nation of beggars': Expert defends PH research on Benham Rise ABS-CBN News Posted at Jan 24 2018 08:12 AM | Updated as of Jan 24 2018 11:09 AM Share Save Facebook Twitter GPlus LinkedIn A maritime law expert criticized Wednesday a statement from President Duterte's spokesman that only China can conduct research in Benham Rise because the endeavor is capital intensive. Prof. Jay Batongbacal did not mince words, describing Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque's claim as something "based on ignorance" and calling out the Philippine government for making a "brazen falsehood" on the issue. "Government's denigration of Filipino scientists and Filipinos in general, claiming they cannot explore Benham Rise without China or Chinese money, is a total sham meant to disempower and demean Filipinos and their capacity and capability as a people. It makes Filipinos appear helpless, clueless and penniless on something already demonstrated they are not," he wrote on his Facebook page. "We are not a nation of beggars for small change, even if it is from a country as a big and rich as China." The director of UP Institute of Maritime Affairs and the Law of the Sea took issue with Roque's statement to the press that "Filipinos cannot afford to explore Benham Rise, that "no one can do it", that the Philippines "needs China" to do it, and "only China qualifies." READ: Palace: Chinese help needed in expensive Benham Rise research Refuting Roque's claim, Batongbacal made a list that shows years of research done by Filipino scientists on the resource-rich underwater plateau located east of Isabela. EIGHT REASONS WHY From 2004 to 2008, he said the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources conducted a survey of Benham Rise and produced a highly detailed 3d digital bathymetric model. The survey was done by a full Filipino crew and funded by the Philippine government. Second, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture has been conducting annual fisheries research and experimental fishing expeditions in Benham Rise to determine the tuna fishery potential of its waters. In 2014 and 2016, Batongbacal said two oceanographic research cruises were organized that gave Philippines its initial glimpse of Benham Bank, the shallowest portion of Benham Rise. The research was supported by national government agencies and several academic institutions. READ: Benham's hidden gems: Thriving sea life, potential gas Benham Rise: The Philippines' underwater treasure Scientists find diverse marine life in Benham Rise Fourth, the UP National Institute for Geological Sciences and UP Marine Science Institute have been collaborating with counterpart institutions from Korea and Japan since 2016 to begin initial exploration of the seabed in Benham Rise. Geologists from UP NIGS, he also listed, have produced academic papers and analysis, which were used as evidence to support the claim to Benham Rise. Sixth, marine biologists in the Philippines have been analyzing samples and observations gathered from research cruises. The marine biologists have made interesting findings and potential discoveries, he said. Seventh, a deep-sea research vessel, known as BRP Gregorio Velasquez, was handed over to the Philippine Navy by the US. Lastly, he said Philippines has been offered by "at least one friendly country" with up-to-date technologies, such as underwater autonomous vehicles costing $100,000. NOT THE ONLY ONE Batongbacal acknowledged that China is a "formidable scientific force in the contemporary ocean sciences" but "it is by no means the only one." "China is an obvious opportunity, but not an absolute necessity," he said. READ: China lusting after Benham Rise resources: Golez Batongbacal also said the limitations of Philippine marine science are "not so much a matter of poverty as it is a matter of priorities." "The modest efforts to date demonstrate that with the proper budgetary support from government and clear research goals and objectives, as well as a good vision and great confidence in our own people and expertise, the Philippines can do these things on its own," he said. "We may have relatively few marine scientists and even fewer marine science vessels, but they have done a lot despite limited resources. What more if government actually gave the sector the attention it deserves?" Benham Rise, a 13-million-hectare area located east of Luzon island believed to be gas-rich, was awarded to the country in 2012 by the United Nations after Manila successfully proved that it is part of Isabela province's extended continental shelf. Share Save Facebook Share on Twitter GPlus LinkedIn Read More: Benham Rise Jay Batongbacal Harry Roque scientific research FROM THE WEB Recommended by Home > News 'China was right': Roque says PH has no sovereignty over Benham Rise Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News Posted at Jan 22 2018 07:09 PM Share Save Facebook Twitter GPlus LinkedIn MANILA - The Philippines has sovereign rights, but not sovereignty over Benham Rise. This was clarified by Presidential spokesman Harry Roque after a May 2017 statement of the Chinese Foreign Ministry that the Philippine government cannot claim Benham Rise as its own territory was shared many times on social media. PH can't claim Benham Rise as its territory – China Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv The statement had cast doubt on China's plans to conduct explorations in Benham Rise. Duterte renames 'Benham Rise' to 'Philippine Rise' Speaking to reporters, Roque said the Chinese were right. "Tama po iyon. Wala tayong titulo sa Benham Rise. Because what we have is sovereign rights. Sovereign rights is different from title. Sovereign rights is the right to explore and exploit the natural and non-living resources found in the area," Roque said. "We do not have sovereignty in the Benham Rise because what we only have in Benham Rise as part of our extended continental shelf is the right to explore and exploit the natural resources found thereat," he explained. Included in a country's sovereign rights is the right to decide which countries it will allow to conduct scientific research in the area. "Because it is sovereign, because it is exclusive, ibig sabihin noon, desisyon na ng soberenya iyon--soberenyang bansa kung nais niyang i-share sa iba. And we have allowed scientific research on the basis of guidelines that are already existing. And other nations, or other companies from different countries, can also apply," he said. The Philippines' claim to Benham Rise, a massive 13-million-hectare area located east of Luzon island was approved by the United Nations back in 2012. Share Save Facebook Share on Twitter GPlus LinkedIn Read More: Benham Rise philippine rise harry roque china benham rise UN convention on the law of the sea UNCLOS Home > News China lusting after Benham Rise resources: Golez Trishia Billones, ABS-CBN News Posted at Jan 23 2018 11:31 AM | Updated as of Jan 23 2018 03:48 PM Share Save Facebook Twitter GPlus LinkedIn Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv MANILA - A former national security adviser on Tuesday said he is puzzled why the Philippine government would allow China to conduct scientific research off the Pacific coast. The Department of Foreign Affairs granted the request of a Chinese entity to do research in waters where the Benham Rise is located, according to Representative Gary Alejano. It was later disclosed that President Rodrigo Duterte made the call to allow the survey. Roque: Duterte made call on China's Benham Rise research "I’m just a little puzzled why we would allow an entity that already grabbed a big chunk of our exclusive economic zone an entry to Benham Rise," Roilo Golez told ANC's Headstart. Golez noted China may be "lusting" after the natural resources in Benham Rise, which is supposedly rich in fish and methane gas hydrates. "I’m very worried that China may be lusting for the resources available there plus the geostrategic value...The Constitution is very clear that the state must protect our marine wealth in our exclusive economic zone, territorial sea, etc., and reserve its use exclusively for Filipino citizens," he said. Benham Rise, renamed Philippine Rise last year, is an underwater plateau located east of Isabela that is rich in pristine corals, diverse marine life and untapped gas reserves. READ: Benham's hidden gems: Thriving sea life, potential gas The United Nations in 2012 declared it as part of the Philippines' extended continental shelf. Golez said the Philippines' decision to allow China to survey the area gives Beijing an "opening" that could have "strategic implications" in terms of geopolitics. "They want to go into the Western Pacific, which is right now dominated by the US, by Japan...That will enable them to do oceanographic studies to find out what is under the sea," he said. China may also be looking for "thermocline," a thin layer hundreds of meters below the sea "where there's an abrupt change in temperature," allowing submarines to freely operate. Golez also hit Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque for saying the China was correct in saying the Philippines has sovereign rights, but not sovereignty over Benham Rise. 'China was right': Roque says PH has no sovereignty over Benham Rise "When you are in dispute with another country, you never agree with that country…Never agree with your opponent because your opponent is going to quote you very liberally and very generously to our detriment," he said. "The best is to emphasize that we have control over Benham Rise. We are the beneficial owner of Benham Rise because everything there, all natural resources are within our control," he added. Share Save Facebook Share on Twitter GPlus LinkedIn Read More: ANC ANC Top ANC Exclusives Roilo Golez Benham Rise philippine rise china beijing Home > News Palace: Chinese help needed in expensive Benham Rise research Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News Posted at Jan 23 2018 03:50 PM Share Save Facebook Twitter GPlus LinkedIn MANILA - Malacañang on Tuesday defended the government’s decision to allow China to explore Benham Rise, saying conducting such research is an expensive endeavor. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier granted the request of the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Oceanology to do research at the Benham Rise, a resource-rich underwater plateau located east of Isabela. Critics blasted the move, saying it could undermine Manila’s interests in the waters, which the United Nations in 2012 awarded as an extension of the Philippines’ continental shelf. In a news conference, Roque said China was allowed to do the study since it met the qualifications, one of which is that Filipino researchers must be allowed to join Chinese researchers. “Only China has qualified so far. There are other applicants. Unfortunately, they did not qualify according to fixed guidelines already set by the government,” he said. “No one has applied. And no one can do it because, apparently, it’s capital intensive.” Senator Francis Pangilinan on Monday questioned why China, which has an ongoing dispute with the Philippines over the South China Sea, was chosen to conduct the research despite its maritime conflict with Manila. “What will the country stand to gain from this marine scientific research? Why do we need to partner with China? Can't the Philippines do it on its own? What is in store for China after the research? How long will this be carried out, and what will be the coverage of the research? What are the mechanisms and guidelines in place in the conduct of the activity?” Pangilinan said in a statement. “Most importantly, what would be the impact of such joint undertaking on the Philippines' national interest and security?” said the senator, who is president of the opposition Liberal Party. Pangilinan said he had to raise these questions because “history and experience tell us that China is not exactly the most trustworthy partner for such an activity.” Meanwhile, former national security adviser Roilo Golez said he was also puzzled why Manila allowed China to conduct the scientific research. Golez noted that China may be "lusting" after the natural resources in Benham Rise, which is supposedly rich in fish and methane gas hydrates. China lusting after Benham Rise resources: Golez "I’m very worried that China may be lusting for the resources available there plus the geostrategic value...The Constitution is very clear that the state must protect our marine wealth in our exclusive economic zone, territorial sea, etc., and reserve its use exclusively for Filipino citizens," Golez told ANC. Golez said the Philippines' decision to allow China to survey the area gives Beijing an "opening" that could have "strategic implications" in terms of geopolitics. "They want to go into the Western Pacific, which is right now dominated by the US, by Japan...That will enable them to do oceanographic studies to find out what is under the sea," he said. China may also be looking for a "thermocline," a transition layer between deep and surface water "where there's an abrupt change in temperature" that could allow submarines to freely operate. Pangilinan called on the administration to be transparent in its dealings with China “to allay fears of the people that it is betraying our national sovereignty and patrimony.” Since assuming power, President Rodrigo Duterte has sought to downplay Manila’s South China Sea dispute with Beijing in pursuit of better economic ties with Asia’s largest economy. Duterte, China's Xi agree not to 'waste lives' over sea dispute Share Save Facebook Share on Twitter GPlus LinkedIn Read More: Rodrigo Duterte Benham Rise Department of Foreign Affairs China exploration Francis Pangilinan Home > News Solon: China 'respects' PH sovereignty over Benham Rise in seeking survey permit ABS-CBN News Posted at Jan 23 2018 07:38 PM Share Save Facebook Twitter GPlus LinkedIn MANILA - China's application for a permit to survey the Benham Rise shows it respects the Philippines' sovereignty over the resource-rich area, a lawmaker said Tuesday. Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said the fact that the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Oceanology requested for a permit shows that it recognizes Manila's sovereignty over the area. "In this case, Chinese authorities applied for a permit from the Philippine government. The mere fact they applied for permit is recognition over Benham Rise," he said. Lagman however, noted that should China violate the terms of the permit, the Philippines can revoke it. "If there's any violation on the part of China, the permit or permission can be withdrawn as a penalty for violations of the conditions," he said. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier granted the request of the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Oceanology to do research at the Benham Rise, a resource-rich underwater plateau located east of Isabela. Critics blasted the move, saying it could undermine Manila’s interests in the waters, which the United Nations in 2012 awarded as an extension of the Philippines’ continental shelf. Palace: Chinese help needed in expensive Benham Rise research China lusting after Benham Rise resources: Golez Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano meanwhile questioned Manila's capacity to monitor Beijing's compliance with the requirements of the permit issued. He said Chinese survey ships should be under the close supervision of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. "As long as there is no exploration, no exploitation of marine resources in the EEZ ( exclusive economic zone) of the Philippines or non-living resources and sedentary species in the extended continental shelf, mamo-monitor ba 'yan?" he said. Share Save Facebook Share on Twitter GPlus LinkedIn Read More: Benham Rise China Philippines maritime dispute Edcel Lagman Gary Alejano