Nolcom deploys BRP Alcaraz to patrol Benham Rise

Amid the reported presence of a Chinese vessel at Benham Rise, the Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command has included in its sovereignty patrol the 13-million hectare undersea region and biodiversity hotspot located east of Luzon.

BRP Ramon Alcaraz, one of the Philippine Navy’s warship, was deployed to patrol Benham Rise and include it in its regular route.

“Nag-start sila (BRP Alcaraz) last March 17 and until now and’un pa sila,” Major Bonifacio Arceda, NOLCOM public information officer, said in a phone interview with GMA News Online.

“Wala pa silang planong mag-return to station dahil iikutin nila yung Casiguran area and itong 13-million hectare na area (ng Benham Rise),” he added.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Navy will now conduct regular patrol on Benham Rise.

“The Navy will henceforth regularly patrol Benham Rise partly due to past Chinese activities there but more importantly because it is part of our continental shelf and awarded to us by the UN,” Lorenzana said in text message to reporters Friday.

“Our next activity is to  have the area surveyed to clearly determine its limits, depths, coral formations, etc.,” he added.

Not included in previous routes

In the interview with GMA News Online, Arceda said Benham Rise was not included in the previous routes of the warship.

“Dati hindi pa kasama, ngayon isasama na nila yung Benham Rise gaya ng pagpapatrol nila sa Calayan at Itbayat,” he said.

He said included in the previous regular route of BRP Alcaraz were Cagayan, Maconacon in Isabela, Itbayat and Basco in Batanes.

He said it is the mandate of NOLCOM to patrol these areas.

“Sa NOLCOM, mandate namin to secure the sea from the north so yun ang inutos ng commander namin, si Lt. Gen.  Romeo Tanalgo.

Asked what BRP Alcaraz would do if it sees any Chinese vessel in the area, Arceda said the warship will first communicate with the crew of the unathorized ship.

“Kapag may makita kakausapin na off limits sila sa portion na yun,” he said.

He said BRP Alcaraz has the capability to challenge any vessel that will enter the territory of the country without permission.

“May capability sila and may equipment yung BRP Alcaraz na kaya niyang i-defend yung sakop niya,” he said. 

BRP Alcaraz has rapid-firing weapons which was installed in 2014.  

Chinese survey ship

Lorenzana earlier said a Chinese survey ship was spotted off Benham Rise for three months last year. 

He has ordered the Philippine Navy to accost the unauthorized vessel if they see it again. He also said the DND will deploy patrol vessels in the area.

In 2009, the Philippines lodged a full territorial claim to Benham Rise with the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

The claim was granted in 2012, with Benham Rise granted to the Philippines as an extension of the country's continental shelf, some 350 nautical miles from the nation’s shore. — RSJ, GMA News