China didn’t get permission to conduct research at Philippine Rise — NSC

MANILA, Philippines — The two Chinese research vessels reported in the Philippine Rise did not ask for permission to conduct explorations, said National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya on Monday.

Spanning 24 million hectares, the Philippine Rise (formerly known as Benham Rise) is on the eastern side of the country and is separate from the heavily disputed West Philippine Sea, said Malaya. The area spans half the Philippines’ land mass and is rich in marine resources.

Over the weekend, Chinese research vessels were reportedly loitering at the Philippine Rise.

READ: 2 Chinese research vessels ‘loitering’ at Philippine Rise

“Tayo lang, the Philippines is the only country that has rights over that area at kung mayroon mang maritime or marine research vessels, wala silang karapatan mag-research doon [o] gumawa ng anumang exploration without the express consent of the Philippine government,” said Malaya on the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing.

(The Philippines is the only country that has rights over that area; they do not have the rights to research there or to do any exploration without the express consent of the Philippine government.)

“In this case, these two marine research vessels did not ask for permission from the government, and if they are conducting marine research in this area, that is an illegal act,” added Malaya in a mix of English and Filipino.

The NSC spokesperson said that vessels had the right to innocent passage, but they did not have the right to loiter in and explore the area.

According to Malaya, the government is still probing whether or not the Chinese research vessels were conducting studies or simply passing by.

“We have already directed the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard to investigate and submit a report,” said Malaya.

Malaya said that the Chinese government has not officially spoken on the matter.