Socioeconomic intervention at Benham Rise

This is in reaction to reports about Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol’s idea to establish a Protected Food Supply Exclusive Zone at Benham Rise, which he initially recommended following a three-day exploration trip to the mineral-rich area.

Years ago, the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines suggested that aside from assuming a defense posture like docking BRP Sierra Madre in Bajo de Masinloc (also known as Panatag Shoal or Scarborough Shoal, in Zambales), we should install at least one establishment at every contested area. But the proposed infrastructure was designed more for defense purposes. This time, the proposal highlights the need for a socioeconomic intervention.

The Philippines’ sovereign rights over the continental shelf is uncontestable. Benham Rise is an underwater plateau that stretches from the coasts of Cagayan and Bicol up to approximately 300-350 nautical miles (nm) in the Pacific Ocean. Legally speaking, a large part of this plateau is within the 200-nm exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of the Philippines. An additional area of a seabed extending around 150 nm was successfully claimed by the Philippines as its “extended continental shelf” under Article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Following the concept of high seas freedoms (which include the freedoms of navigation and overflight), international waters are open to all nations; but such freedom must be exercised in a way that respects, and gives due regard of, the sovereign rights of the Philippines. In addition, the Philippines has the right to regulate and participate in any marine scientific research conducted in its territory. And this, in general, is the agriculture department’s point.

China will, of course, react to this proposal with the same line it has given to justify and defend its illegal acts in our marine territories. I believe they will view the proposed initiative as a countermove to China’s pseudo-research and coast guard operations.

Remember the presence of Chinese survey vessel at Benham Rise? Philippine authorities have been monitoring the area since November 2016 up to the present, so there is no way China can deny the reports on this matter. In fact, defense authorities identified the Chinese vessel that stayed for three months at Benham Rise. Even the National Security Council supported this claim.

In a nutshell, Filipinos will benefit more if it will protect and conserve Benham Rise because while the minerals and oil supply is finite, the capacity of the fish species in the area to multiply is limitless.

Benham Rise can be protected and managed well under international law and the Philippine Constitution.

MARIA JUMELA E. DECENA, mjedecena@gmail.com