‘No need for President to physically visit PH Rise’

CASIGURAN, Aurora — Malacañang said that President Duterte did not need to go to the Philippine Rise physically and that its declaration as a marine protected area (MPA) was enough to assert the country’s ownership of the underwater plateau.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roqueissued the statement after the President asserted in a speech Tuesday that the Philippines owns the Philippine Rise, after signing the Presidential Proclamation that formally declares portion of the underwater plateau as an MPA.

Aside from the signing, Duterte also expressed support for the group of scientists who will conduct a marine scientific research in the area until November this year.

“Sa akin sapat naman na itong ginawa ni Presidente Duterte at ipahayag na ang tanging yaman ng Philippine Rise ay para sa mga Pilipino (To me I think what the President did today was enough---expressing that the resources found in the Philippine Rise is for the Filipinos),” Roque told Palace reporters aboard the BRP Davao del Sur here.

“Tingin ko napadala na niya ang mensahe niya sa sa buong daigdig na tanging Pilipino lamang ang makikinabang sa (I think the President was able to tell the world that it is only the Filipinos who can benefit from the) Philippine Rise,” he added.

It was earlier announced that Duterte was supposed to go to the Philippine Rise to assert the country’s ownership there, a year after he changed its name from Benham Rise through the issuance of Executive Order no. 25.

When asked why Duterte failed to go to the Philippine Rise and only graced rites in Casiguran Bay abaord the Philippine Navy ship , Roque said that it is really nearly impossible for anyone to go the feature.

He explained that the plan, originally, was for the President to just really lead the ceremonial send-off for the scientists.

“Ito po ang plano niya na ise-sendoff niya ang ating mga dalubhasa na mag-aaral dito sa Philippine Rise. Itong barko pong ito talagang patungo po ito ng Philippine Rise pero napakatagal po ng biyahe nito, baka bukas pa sila makakarating ng Philippine Rise (The plan was to send-off the experts who will conduct research on the Philippine Rise. This ship will really go there but the journey is too long, it may take them until tomorrow),” Roque said.

“The Philippine Rise is beyond the 200 nautical miles [of our] EEZ (exclusive economic zone) so ganoon kalayo ‘yung pupuntahan so medyo hindi feasible na basically pumunta doon (it is really that far so going there is not really feasible),” he added.

Roque also noted that the Philippine Rise is an underwater sea feature so anyone who would like to go there would have to dive. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)