Andrada and McCord are fictional characters in a fictional TV series while Benham Rise is a real part of our geography. It’s a political, not military callBut why does the government want to make a federal case of it, while it is so careful not to be seen asserting its rights over Benham Rise? For starters, he seems to mix up Benham Rise with the West Philippine/South China Sea, where he has decided to embrace Pax China without invoking the prudential safeguards provided by international law. In Benham Rise, DU30 shared his information with absolutely no one. Having gained a reprieve from the tribunal’s adverse ruling, it became easier for China to deny its surveillance activities at Benham Rise until DU30 revealed he had authorized them.

Source: Manila Times March 21, 2017 16:30 UTC