MANILA, Philippines (Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte has cancelled all existing foreign licences on scientific research over Benham Rise.
This was according to Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque who announced the President’s decision on Tuesday, February 6. He said that President Rodrigo Duterte has already ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Inter Agency to stop all foreign scientific research over Benham Rise.
Roque said that the President wanted to limit scientific research in Benham Rise to Filipino-owned entities.
The President gave the directive during the 22nd Cabinet meeting on Monday, February 5, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said in a Palace press briefing.
“I confirm that the President ordered that henceforth, only Filipinos will be allowed to conduct scientific research… and explore and exploit natural resources in the Philippine Rise,” Roque said.
“No particular reason was given other than it’s [indisputably] subject to our sovereign rights… Where there’s a dispute, then let us explore joint explorations, joint scientific researches. But where there is no dispute, then for now, let’s limit it to Filipinos,” he added.
“Yes, he (Duterte) says that although all scientific research permits are deemed cancelled,” Roque explained in the press briefing.
The Spokesman however clarified that the new order from the President does not totally prohibit foreign scientists’ explorations and studies in the Philippines Rise.
Those who want to conduct further researches should make a separate application with the Office of the National Security Adviser.
“[A]lthough all scientific research permits are deemed cancelled, any new application, in addition to an application to be filed with the interagency technical working group [of the DFA], will have to make a separate application with the office of the National Security Adviser,” he said.
“It’s not really a ban… it’s just a directive that we want Filipinos to do it as much as possible; that we are reserving it for Filipinos,” Roque explained.
Around 30 licenses were previously granted to foreign entities coming from China, the United States, Japan, Korea, and Germany. Roque said their activities in the area had already been concluded with their licenses revoked, as confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Roque also said that the President wanted to stress that Benham Rise, also known as Philippines Rise, is fully under the territory of the Philippines.
“Our sovereign rights under Benham Rise (or) Philippine Rise is unquestioned. We do not need to share it with anyone as of now,” Roque said.
He said that this meant that the license recently given to China is also revoked.
Roque also said that China should also share whatever information gathered in their research in Benham Rise to Philippine authorities.