PH to assign own names to undersea features of Benham — DND

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JOAN BONDOC

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Wednesday that the Philippines will assign its own names to the undersea features of the Philippine Rise (Benham Rise).

“We will still discuss this with the National Security Adviser and other Cabinet members. As for me, I would also give these features Philippine names,” he told reporters in a text message.

Malacañang has opposed the move of China to name five of the undersea features within the country’s exclusive economic zone at Philippine Rise.

The International Hydrographic Organization has approved the five names for the undersea features proposed by China last year.

The area believed to be rich in resources was designated by the United Nations in 2012 as part of the Philippines.

President Rodrigo Duterte recently banned the foreign scientific research in Philippine Rise and ordered the Philippine Navy to go after foreign vessels there. /je