Duterte fails to reach Philippine Rise

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday did not make it to the Philippine Rise, which he had vowed to visit in order to assert the country's sovereign rights over the resource-rich undersea region.

Duterte, who was onboard the Philippine Navy vessel BRP Davao del Sur, was only able to reach Casiguran Bay off Aurora province.

The presidential chopper carrying Duterte left the ship at 5:50 p.m., after he attended the program to commemorate the anniversary of the renaming of the uncontested region from Benham Rise to Philippine Rise.

Duterte, however, did send a 50-member science team to conduct research in the area. He also signed a presidential proclamation declaring parts of the Philippine Rise as a marine reserve.

It was earlier reported that Duterte might ride a jet ski in the waters of the Philippine Rise after at least seven units of the personal watercraft were spotted onboard the Philippine Navy vessel.

Special Asst. to the President Bong Go and Presidential Son Baste ride a jetski at Casiguran Bay in Aurora moments after Pres. Duterte sent off scientists headed for the Philippine Rise. Then presidential candidate Duterte once said he will ride a jetski to Scarborough Shoal. pic.twitter.com/L9a5Ri5sai

— Raffy Tima (@raffytima) May 15, 2018

That did not push through.

Instead, Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go, presidential son Sebastian Duterte, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, and PBA party-list Representative Jericho Nograles did the jet-skiing. — MDM, GMA News