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NAMRIA seeks voiding of Chinese names for Benham Rise features


It is now up to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ask a subpanel of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) to void its approval of China's naming five undersea features in Benham Rise.

The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) on Monday asked the DFA to seek the nullification of the IHO SCUFN's (Subcommittee on Undersea Feature Names) approval of the names.

This is according to NAMRIA assistant director Captain Herbert Catapang, who said at a Senate hearing on Benham Rise explorations that, like Malacañang, they are not recognizing China's naming of five undersea regions in the resource-rich area east of Luzon.

He raised contentions on the naming, such as China's apparently unpermitted research survey in Benham Rise in 2004 which led to what they called "discovery" of the features they have now registered names for.

This is not in accordance with the rules set out by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), he said.

Catapang also said that as far as they know, "no consultation" between China and the Philippines was made "before the submission of the proposals to the SCUFN," as also supposedly required by the body's procedures for naming.

Finally, he said China's naming of the features violated SCUFN rules of procedure, which provides against considering naming proposals that are "politically sensitive."

"We can consider this proposal as such considering our dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea and of course as a result of the recent arbitral tribunal ruling on South China Sea," he said.

After approval, these five features in the Philippine Rise now officially have Chinese names: Jinghao, Tianbao, Haidonquing, and Jujiu seamounts (undersea mountains) and Cuiqiao Hill.

While she said the DFA would discuss NAMRIA's request, DFA Assistant Secretary Lourdes Yparraguirre said that SCUFN procedures are "silent" on naming undersea features if they are located within a country's exclusive economic zone and extended continental shelf.

Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, who led Monday's hearing, has also said the Philippines should make a case seeking to nullify China's registration of the names. — BM, GMA News

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