By MJ EVORA

One does not have to dive deep to see the cause of interest in Benham Rise. Located at the eastern border of the Philippines, the 13-million-hectare body of water promises a rich source of steel-producing minerals, oil, and natural gas. Scientists believe it is enough to make us self-sufficient in fuel resources. 

However, this abundance lends itself prey to foreign intrusions. Since 2015, China has been trying to secure a permit for marine scientific research (MSR) in the region but failed because they refuse to include Filipino researchers. It was only earlier this year that the government approved the proposal due to a partnership with UP Marine Science Institute (MSI).

Yet, the state suddenly retrieved the decision because of recent photographs showing China’s wide-scale illegal construction of artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea. However, satellite images were already available last year showing the same construction, but President Rodrigo Duterte stated it is ‘better left untouched.’ After the abrupt decision, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque claimed that someday we would be thankful for the structures. 

The changing stances of the Duterte administration attest to how little it secures our sovereignty amid a personal alliance with a foreign intruder and economic superpower. 

As China plans to extend its might across the world, the Philippines’ sovereign rights over Benham Rise are under troubled waters.

Ripples

Our claim to Benham Rise is borne out of a long journey. In 2012, the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf legally recognized Benham Rise as part of the Philippines. This means that the Philippines has sovereign rights but not sovereignty over the area. 

Sovereignty means having supreme authority while possessing sovereign rights means having limited liberties. However, as limited as it is, the Philippines still has more rights to Benham Rise than any other nation. This means that other countries are free to navigate Benham Rise as long as they have our permission.

According to UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and Laws of the Sea (IMLOS) Director Jay Batongbacal, the course toward sovereign rights in Benham Rise started in 2007 but the exploration of the region started as early as 2004 (see sidebar 1). Different institutions such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, UP National Institute of Geological Sciences, and UP MSI, among others, initiate the research endeavors. 

These are headed by Filipino scientists and mostly funded by the State. As such, many were appalled when presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that the reason they approved China’s MSR is that Filipinos cannot afford to do so. 

If there were any discrepancies in exploring Benham Rise, it speaks more of government neglect than the incapability of Filipino scientists. AGHAM-Advocates of Science and Technology for the People clamors for government funding and support instead of submitting our rights to China. According to the 2015 report by the Department of Budget and Management, only 0.1 percent of our gross domestic product goes to scientific research, far from the global average of 2.04 percent. 

Scientific research is a viable cornerstone for developing national industries, says College of Science Student Council Xian Guevarra. The lack of such keeps the state backward and reliant on foreign investment. History tells us that this situation sets the scene for intrusion and exploitation.

Disturbance

The Philippines has a 30-year history of maritime conflict with China. Since 1988, the eastern giant has been illegally occupying reeves near the region and transforming them into military bases (see sidebar 2). Hence, the mere consideration of China’s MSR in Benham Rise warrants suspicion. Guevarra asserts, “Science, even though it is based on facts, logic, and reasoning, is actually political.” The interest served by scientific findings depends on the bearer of greater power. In the case of China and the Philippines, the superiority of the former is unmistakable. 

Devoid of analyzing the existing power relations, Dr. Benjamin Vallejo, head of UP Science and Society Program, justifies the state decision as a form of science diplomacy—the use of scientific collaborations to foster good international relationships. He is optimistic that research findings will be used to solve global environmental crises. 

On contrary, Batongbacal stresses that although science diplomacy is important, China must first be held accountable for its violations against the Philippines. In essence, science diplomacy demands mutual respect. So far, China has consistently failed.

Drift

China’s MSR in Benham Rise is no innocent act. In 2013, China began One Belt, One Road (OBOR) —a massive project aimed to dominate global trade. This means numerous constructions of roads, bridges, and ports across 64 countries in Central Asia, West Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. In doing such, China needs a rich source of raw building materials, much of which can be found in Benham Rise. 

China had already started the exploitation in Africa for the same raw materials. Now, protests are at their height as food shortage and environmental crises also peaked. The power of China to exploit countries such as Africa and the Philippines comes from its economic supremacy and strategic location. 

China is recognized as the world’s largest manufacturer as it exports more than 500 industrial products around the globe. Intensifying their control of trade is the convenience brought by its location in Eurasia. 

Africa’s fate is not far from happening in the Philippines given President Duterte’s apparent subservience to China. Instead of acknowledging their violations against our territories and supporting our Filipino scientists, the administration is setting sail with China at the expense of our sovereign rights. 

At this point, negotiating with China alone is to fish in troubled waters. The threat of China is rising fast; the only way to conquer is for the people to rise above. ●

Published in print in the Collegian’s February 23, 2018 issue, with the headline “Troubled Waters.”