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Duterte wants to change name of Benham Rise to 'Philippine Ridge'

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/03/20170314-benham-rise-ocean-uplb-11.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">A technical diver checks out the coral cover during an expedition at Benham Rise last May 2016. <cite>Screengrab from a video produced by Oceana Philippines.</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he plans to change the name of Benham Rise to &quot;Philippine Ridge.&quot;</p><p>“I will officially claim it as ours and rename it hindi Benham Rise. I will call it Philippine Ridge,&quot; Duterte told reporters in Palawan.</p><p>Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella last Saturday said the government was was <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/01/17/govt-studies-renaming-benham-rise-to-philippine-rise">studying the possibility</a> of renaming Benham Rise to &quot;Philippine Rise&quot; to strengthen the country&#x27;s sovereign rights over the resource-rich undersea plateau.</p><p>The extended continent shelf is named after American geologist, Andrew Benham, who reportedly surveyed it in 1933. </p><p>Duterte&#x27;s predecessor, Benigno Aquino, opted to use West Philippine Sea when referring to South China Sea to assert Manila&#x27;s claim to the resource-rich islands, reefs and outcrops that are also claimed by China and other neighbors. </p><p>Unlike in the South China Sea, Beijing has not contested Manila&#x27;s claim to Benham Rise.</p><p>Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo had previously said that China has &quot;repeatedly&quot; recognized the Philippines&#x27; sovereign rights over the continental shelf. </p>

<p>MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he plans to change the name of Benham Rise to "Philippine Ridge."</p>

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he plans to change the name of Benham Rise to "Philippine Ridge."