Chinese research vessel already left Benham Rise —Alejano

The Chinese vessels that conducted maritime scientific research (MRS) in the Benham Rise have left Philippine waters, a former Marine officer and incumbent lawmaker said on Tuesday.

Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano shared this information a day after President Rodrigo Duterte reportedly ordered a stop to MRS by foreigners in the resource-rich waters east of Luzon.

"I cannot remember exactly but I think they left two days ago," Alejano told reporters at a press conference.

Alejano said the Chinese vessels were given the permit to conduct the study from January 24 to February 24. He said they already entered the Philippine territory on January 22.

He said he received information that the Chinese vessels were difficult to track as they did not report their whereabouts.

"Actually mahirap i-monitor talaga ang mga barko, kasi dapat proactively, they should be the ones reporting their position. Ang nangyayari, minominotor na lang natin sila dahil hindi sila nagrereport," Alejano said.

Alejano said the question remains whether the Chinese researchers would give a report on the study they conducted.

"Required yan for how many months e," Alejano said.

Alejano claimed that Chinese vessels have conducted studies in Philippine waters despite having no permit.

"They have been conducting marine scientific surveys there in our eastern seaboard even without our permit. Since nagsu-survey naman sila nang hindi natin binibigyan ng permit, bigyan na lang natin ng permit. Parang ganun ang nangyayari," Alejano said.

"Aabusin talaga tayo [kapag ganiyan]," he added.

Earlier in the day, Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered a stop to the maritime scientific research by foreigners in the Benham Rise.

But Alejano said China would not stop conducting explorations as it is a part of their long-term strategic objectives, which includes controlling first the island chain along the nine-dash line to prevent forces coming from the Pacific going to South China Sea where explorations are almost done.

"Scarborough Shoal na lang ang kulang. Once they reclaim the Scarborough Shoal, they will have this strategic triangle in the South China Sea. Now after that they are going out now to the Pacific, in the second island chain. Kaya nga importante ang ginagawa nila dyan sa benham rise dahil that is their next target," he explained.

After this, Alejano said China will target to control the second island chain, which includes south of Japan, Guam, and north of Guinea.

"Alam natin saan sila papunta, huwag tayong pabulag-bulag. Ang sa atin lang while they are doing that, we should make sure also that we prove to the world that we are doing our part by protecting our fishermen, make sure they survive," he said.

Alejano reiterated that the Philippine government should have a clear policy in giving permit to those who want to conduct studies at the Benham Rise, putting premium on whether the country will also benefit from these. —NB, GMA News