President Rodrigo Duterte warns of war erupting should any foreign country conduct fishing or research activities in the Philippine Rise without the government’s permission. In a speech before soldiers in Marawi City, Duterte again asserted Manila’s sovereign rights over the resource-rich continental shelf. Duterte insisted that any foreign entity who wants to conduct scientific research in the Philippine Rise should first secure permission from the Philippine government. Duterte said it would be for the AFP to recommend which foreign country may be given permission to conduct scientific research or even fishing activity in the underwater plateau off Aurora province. In 2012, the United Nations (UN) ruled that the Philippine Rise was part of the country’s exclusive economic zone, which gave the Philippines “sovereign rights” to explore and exploit the resources in the area.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer February 28, 2018 08:48 UTC