The area of focus is Benham Rise, which the United Nations in 2012 declared part of the Philippines' continental shelf. According to Pinol, Duterte said the navy should deploy vessels to chase away any fishing or research vessels, and he wants the air force to patrol the area. "Our sovereign right is unquestioned," Roque told a regular news briefing. There are no foreign entities conducting scientific research," Roque said, adding that innocent passage would be allowed, in accordance with international law. Pinol said the agriculture department had sent two research vessels to monitor "foreign groups" and the military would deploy unmanned aerial surveillance vehicles.

Source: Bangkok Post February 06, 2018 07:07 UTC