PH rights over Benham Rise region

Following are the rights that the Philippine may exercise over the Benham Rise, a region in the Philippine Sea approximately 250 km east of the northern coastline of Dinapigue, Isabela.

As an  exclusive economic zone: 11.4 million hectares

Sovereign rights in exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources (living or nonliving) of the waters super adjacent to  the seabed and of the seabed and its subsoil, and with regard to other activities  in exploiting and exploring of the zone such as the production of energy from the water, currents and winds

Jurisdiction  to establish and use  artificial islands, installations and structures; conduct marine scientific research; and in the protection and preservation of the marine environment. (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Article 56)

As an  extended continental shelf: 13 million hectares

Sovereign rights in exploring it and exploiting its natural resources. These rights are exclusive in the sense that  no one may undertake these activities without the Philippines’ express consent  (Article 77).  But the exercise of these rights  must   not infringe  or interfere with other nation’s navigation rights. (Article 78)

—Source:  United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea