Palace expects China to share result of research in Philippine Rise

January 18, 2018

The Philippine government expects that China will share the results of its research in Philippine Rise (Benham rise) off east of Luzon, Malacanang said on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said what China has been doing is a scientific research.

"So science is science. Science knows no nationalities ‘no. And the requirement is that Philippine Scientist must also participate in the scientific exercise and that the result must be shared with Philippine authorities," he said in a press briefing in Albay province.

"So, the quest for truth is all important, it knows nationalities and that’s why all countries that would want to conduct joint research with us in this extended continental shelf are welcome to do so," he said.

Roque added the Philippines has established guidelines on which other countries' request can be approved.

Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio earlier said it would be "dumb" of the Philippines to allow China to conduct a research in Philippine Rise when it refuses to recognize the arbitral ruling favoring the Philippines on the territorial dispute in South China Sea. Celerina Monte/DMS