OCEAN FLOOR WONDER A diver explores the spectacular marine biodiversity of Benham Rise, now renamed Philippine Rise, in this screen grab from a film by Oceana Philippines. —OCEANA VIDEO
Progressive lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc have urged the House of Representatives to investigate the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) approval of China’s maritime study in Philippine Rise (Benham Rise).
The lawmakers filed on Monday House Resolution No. 1623, which calls on the House committee on foreign affairs to look into the so-called “marine research and study” conducted by China and approved by the DFA starting January 24.
The Makabayan lawmakers who filed the resolution were Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate, ACT Teachers Partylist Reps. Antonio Tinio and France Castro, Gabriela Women’s Party Reps. Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas, Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao; and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Jane Elago.
The representatives warned that the maritime study could be a repeat of China’s “modus operandi” it used in 2005 under the Arroyo administration’s Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) that “jeopardize[d]” the Philippines’ claims in the Recto Reed Bank.
The militant lawmakers said that under the JMSU that the former administration entered into with China, the country was able to discover and confirm the enormous reserves of natural gas in Recto Reed Bank, where one field already holds about 2.7-3.4 trillion cubic feet of the valuable resource.
“As China was able to discover the location of rich marine resources in the area because of information gathered through the JMSU which they did not share with the Philippines. Groups contend that China only gave us uselessly blurred pictures of the area,” the lawmakers said in the resolution.
“China is now very zealous in taking over these rich natural gas deposits as evidenced by its aggressive stance in the area even constructing islands and placing missile systems to control the area,” they added.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano confirmed reports that the government allowed China to conduct marine research on Benham Rise, the country’s continental shelf off eastern Luzon, “for as long as there is a Filipino on board.”
Cayetano defended the move, saying that the grant of permission did not break any law.
READ: Cayetano defends granting China research access to Benham Rise
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque echoed Cayetano’s statement, adding that Filipinos need China’s help to conduct such study because “no one can do it” as it is “capital intensive.”
READ: Palace says no Filipino can afford research at PH Rise
The DFA’s move was questioned by many scientists, emphasizing that many teams of Filipino experts from the academe and government have already conducted research on the continental shelf over the years.
“Contrary to the claims of the current administration, the Philippines does not have to rely on China to study the Philippine Rise,” the lawmakers pointed out.
“However, any joint exploration with China must protect the interest of the Filipino people and should contribute to the country’s economic development. It must also recognize our territorial integrity, sovereign rights and sovereignty over our established claims and territory. There must be no repeat of the highly unequal JMSU,” they added. /jpv