MANILA (UPDATED) — House Speaker Martin Romualdez has expressed concern over the reported presence of Chinese vessels “loitering” and conducting research activities within the Philippine (Benham) Rise, located within the country’s exclusive economic zone.
 
Romualdez called for adherence to international laws and protocols within Philippine waters and its EEZ, adding that the country will not allow any encroachment on its sovereign rights.
 
"We call on all nations to respect the rights of coastal states, uphold the principles of international law, and refrain from any activities that undermine regional stability and maritime security,” he said in a statement.
 
“The Philippines will not compromise its territorial integrity or allow any encroachment upon its sovereign rights. Philippine Rise is unquestionably within our EZZ, and we will assert our authority to safeguard our maritime domain,” Romualdez added.
 
“The Philippine Rise is a vital marine resource rich in biodiversity and potential for scientific research, as well as economic opportunities for our country. We must protect and harness its full potential for the benefit of the Filipino people,” the Speaker noted.
 
Romualdez reaffirmed the country’s commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity and protecting its sovereign rights in the face of any unauthorized activities by foreign vessels within its exclusive economic zone.
 
"The Philippine government remains steadfast in its duty to protect our sovereignty and preserve our national interest. We will work closely with relevant agencies to address this issue effectively and assert our rights within the bounds of international law,” he said.
 
"The Philippines will not back down or yield an inch of its territory. We will continue to assert our rights over the Philippine Rise and any other maritime areas that belong to us under international law,” Romualdez added.
 
House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party List Rep. France Castro also condemned the reported Chinese activity in the Philippine (Benham) Rise, and urged the Philippine government to stay vigilant in protecting the country’s territorial integrity and maritime rights. She called on the Marcos Jr. administration to take decisive actions to address the reported unauthorized Chinese activity, assert the country’s sovereignty, and ensure the protection of resources in the area.
 
“The presence of Chinese vessels in the northeastern part of the Philippines is a clear violation of our sovereignty. The objective of these vessels is yet to be verified, and it is crucial for the Philippine authorities, to conduct a thorough investigation into their activities,” Castro said.
 
“The Marcos government should concentrate more with these incursions and stop wasting time on charter change that could even make strategic parts of our resources owned by China or other foreign powers,” she added.
 
Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, meanwhile, urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to file a diplomatic protest against the reported presence of two Chinese research vessels in the Philippine Rise.
 
“The intrusion of Chinese survey ships into the Philippine Rise east of our country, which is inside our exclusive economic zone, is concerning. The government should lodge a protest with Beijing every time they trespass on our territory, whether in Benham Rise or the West Philippine Sea,” he said.
 
“Gusto yata tayong unahan sa pag-survey at pag-explore ng lamang yaman ng dagat at ng seabed duon,” Rodriguez added.
 
The Philippine Rise is believed to be rich mineral and natural gas deposits. It is also an important fishing ground for Filipinos and a marine biodiversity hotspot. The government designated the area as a “protected food supply exclusive zone” in May 2017.
 
Rodriguez appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to raise with the country’s allies the reported Chinese intrusions.

Maritime analyst Ray Powell flagged last Friday the supposed intrusion of two research vessels by China into the resource-rich Philippine Rise (Benham Rise), in a post on social media platform X.

Powell said the Chinese vessels Haiyang Dizhi Liuhao and Haiyang Dizhi Shihao sailed from Longque Island in Guangzhou province on February 26 and moved east-southeast through the Luzon Strait. - with reports from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News