Disclose deal with China on Benham Rise research, senator urges DFA

A senator on Thursday called on the Department of Foreign Affairs to reveal the details of the permit given to Chinese oceanographers to conduct a scientific research in Benham Rise [renamed Philippine Rise], the undersea plateau off eastern Luzon coast. 

"In the interest of transparency, it would be best for the DFA to share to the public the extent of the study, research, and exploration of China in Benham Rise,” Senator Nancy Binay said.

“And since it is the DFA which approves or disapproves scientific researches in both the West and East Philippine Seas, it is only appropriate if they could provide a list of all Filipino- and foreign-led expeditions in our waters since 2010," she added.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday justified the permit given to Chinese oceanographers, saying it would be expensive for Filipinos to do the research alone.

Binay said there is nothing wrong if the DFA makes a disclosure of the details of the marine research to be conducted by the Institute of Oceanology of Chinese Academy of Sciences (IO-CAS) on the underwater plateau off Aurora province which is seen as a potential source of oil, natural gas, and other marine resources.

The Chinese research group will be joined by a team from the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI).

Binay said that details such as the location, number of vessels, offshore platforms, area and period of coverage, members of the technical team are important references since it is also the job of the Senate to review the Financial and Technical Assistance Agreements (FTAA) entered into by the Philippine government.

“If it does not undermine the country's sovereignty, then I don't see anything wrong [with DFA providing] us details of the agreement between the Philippines and China." 

"While nothing legally hinders joint explorations, for years, it has always been an issue of policy whether or not government should allow foreign corporate interests or foreign governments to join the Philippines in exploring for resources," she added. 

Likewise, she said that the marine research on Benham Rise can be viewed in relation to the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) tripartite agreement of the Philippines with China and Vietnam, which provided for seismic surveys to determine whether oil and gas reserves are under the Spratlys off the disputed West Philippine Sea.

She also said that Filipino scientists must co-lead explorations as she vouched for their capability do the job.

"Maraming mga Pilipinong eksperto na ang nagsagawa ng mga pag-aaral sa ating mga dagat, sapat na siguro ang kakayahan nila upang gawin ang mga binabalak na research. But we recognize any supplementary technical assistance coming from foreign experts," she said. 

Criticism

Roque’s remarks triggered criticism from some quarters including UP maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal, who said the Palace official’s statement was “completely wrong, based on ignorance and a serious disservice to Filipino scientists in particular and the Filipino people in general.”

Batongbacal also said Filipinos have conducted surveys and research in Benham Rise, which was renamed Philippine Rise last year, since 2004. —LBG/KG, GMA News