MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman said Thursday there was "no conflict" in government accounts on the presence of Chinese ships over a resource-rich undersea plateau.

Duterte had said that he was advised ahead of the Chinese vessels' trip to Benham Rise, located off the Philippines Pacific Coast and within its exclusive economic zone.

Before the President's pronouncement, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana expressed concern over the incident.

"There was no conflict, it was just a matter of referring to separate matters at the same time," Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said.

Abella said the Chinese vessels were in the area for "research" and there was "no incursion."

"The president is very careful that he will protect our sovereign rights in the Benham Rise," he said.

China said it was not challenging the Philippines' rights over Benham Rise and praised Duterte 's handling of the situation.