The Philippine government sees no “bad faith” on China’s move to name five underwater features at the Philippine Rise. This, after Jay Batongbacal, maritime law expert, has said that China has named five undersea features at the Philippine Rise and was approved by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in 2017.
The Philippine government sees no “bad faith” on China’s move to name five underwater features at the Philippine Rise.
This, after Jay Batongbacal, maritime law expert, has said that China has named five undersea features at the Philippine Rise and was approved by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in 2017.
The United Nations (UN) in 2012 has approved the Philippines claim to Philippine Rise, a 13-million hectare underwater landmass located east off Aurora province, and is believed to be rich in gas and mineral resources.
Asked whether China acted on bad faith with the naming of the underwater features, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said no.
“Wala naman po kasi ang nangyari diyan hindi tayo miyembro nung body na ‘yon pero ngayon po ang alam ko sa DFA, magno-nominate na tayo ng sariling eksperto sa body na ‘yon, hindi lang ako at authority to say kung sino ang ino-nominate natin pero siya ay isang scientist,” he said in a Palace briefing.
