Duterte warns Philippine Rise trespassers, poachers

In a bid to protect the country’s territory, President Duterte has authorized the military to fire at foreign intruders trying to extract natural resources from the Philippine Rise.

The President asserted that the area previously called Benham Rise belongs to the Philippines, adding the country claims ownership of the extended continental shelf even if it reaches Guam.

“If you get something there from the economic zone, I will order the Navy to fire. If you can claim a whole of our ocean, do not mess up with my economic zone here. Nawala na nga dito, kukunan mo pa parang pinutol mo na dalawang kamay ko,” Duterte said during a press conference in Davao City Friday night.

The President said he has ordered the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force to conduct regular patrols in the Philippine Rise to protect the country’s sovereign rights.

“The Philippine Rise or the Benham Rise is ours and the continental shelf that extends subterranean. If it reaches Guam, then Guam is ours,” he said.

But in case it reaches Guam, Duterte conceded the country would not pick a fight with the United States.

Duterte’s latest remarks came after revoking the foreign research permits in the Philippine Rise to assert the country’s ownership of the area.

Duterte wanted to give priority to Filipino researchers to explore the area.

While he reiterated the country’s ownership of Benham Rise, the President also expressed openness to start partnerships with other groups in exploring the area.

“We might start to have explorations because, I said, we are poor. We can start partnerships. If you want really to help to help us which you proclaim, you want,” he said.

But the President insisted: “I’m putting notice to the world that the Philippine Rise, which is called Benham Rise, is ours. It’s ours and the economic zone is ours.”