Opposition lawmakers criticized President Rodrigo Duterte's move to revoke licenses of foreign researchers in Benham Rise, saying it might just be a farce especially since Chinese research ships have already left.

An analyst meanwhile believes Duterte's announcement could have been better if he ordered an all-Philippine program for marine research in Benham Rise to show the government is proactive in securing the country's resources.

- Headstart, 7 February 2018