Duterte wants to change name of Benham Rise to 'Philippine Ridge'

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<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img src='http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/03/20170314-benham-rise-ocean-uplb-11.jpg' ><figcaption><div class='embed-desc'>A technical diver checks out the coral cover during an expedition at Benham Rise last May 2016. <cite>Screengrab from a video produced by Oceana Philippines.</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he plans to change the name of Benham Rise to "Philippine Ridge."</p><p>“I will officially claim it as ours and rename it hindi Benham Rise. I will call it Philippine Ridge," Duterte told reporters in Palawan.</p><p>Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella last Saturday said the government was was <a href='http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/01/17/govt-studies-renaming-benham-rise-to-philippine-rise'>studying the possibility</a> of renaming Benham Rise to "Philippine Rise" to strengthen the country's sovereign rights over the resource-rich undersea plateau.</p><p>The extended continent shelf is named after American geologist, Andrew Benham, who reportedly surveyed it in 1933. </p><p>Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino, opted to use West Philippine Sea when referring to South China Sea to assert Manila's claim to the resource-rich islands, reefs and outcrops that are also claimed by China and other neighbors. </p><p>Unlike in the South China Sea, Beijing has not contested Manila's claim to Benham Rise.</p><p>Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo had previously said that China has "repeatedly" recognized the Philippines' sovereign rights over the continental shelf. </p>

<p>The extended continent shelf is named after American geologist, Andrew Benham, who reportedly surveyed it in 1933. </p><p>Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino, opted to use West Philippine Sea when referring to South China Sea to assert Manila's claim to the resource-rich islands, reefs and outcrops that are also claimed by China and other neighbors. </p><p>Unlike in the South China Sea, Beijing has not contested Manila's claim to Benham Rise.</p><p>Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo had previously said that China has "repeatedly" recognized the Philippines' sovereign rights over the continental shelf. </p>

<p>“I will officially claim it as ours and rename it hindi Benham Rise. I will call it Philippine Ridge," Duterte told reporters in Palawan.</p><p>Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella last Saturday said the government was was <a href='http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/01/17/govt-studies-renaming-benham-rise-to-philippine-rise'>studying the possibility</a> of renaming Benham Rise to "Philippine Rise" to strengthen the country's sovereign rights over the resource-rich undersea plateau.</p>

<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img src='http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/03/20170314-benham-rise-ocean-uplb-11.jpg' ><figcaption><div class='embed-desc'>A technical diver checks out the coral cover during an expedition at Benham Rise last May 2016. <cite>Screengrab from a video produced by Oceana Philippines.</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he plans to change the name of Benham Rise to "Philippine Ridge."</p>

<p>MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he plans to change the name of Benham Rise to "Philippine Ridge."</p>

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he plans to change the name of Benham Rise to "Philippine Ridge."

Duterte wants to change name of Benham Rise to 'Philippine Ridge' | ABS-CBN News

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Duterte wants to change name of Benham Rise to 'Philippine Ridge'

Duterte wants to change name of Benham Rise to 'Philippine Ridge'