Lorenzana said the military had spotted Chinese survey ships crisscrossing Benham Rise obviously doing some exploratory research work on the continental shelf. Second, Reuters reported that China has started fresh construction work in the Chinese-controlled North Island, part of the Paracel island group in the South China Sea. Sansha City is the name China has given to an administrative base for the South China Sea islands and reefs that it controls. In the case of Benham Rise, the President practically chastised Secretary Lorenzana for making a lot of fuss about it, saying in a press conference in Malacañang that he has authorized the Chinese to conduct surveys in Benham Rise. Declare war against China?” Duterte asked rhetorically, adding that if we declare war against China we will be annihilated.

Source: Manila Times March 23, 2017 16:07 UTC