‘China won’t claim Benham Rise’

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has revealed that China had assured the Philippines it would not claim Benham Rise, the vast underwater landmass northeast of Luzon declared part of the country’s extended continental shelf.

In remarks during the culmination of International Women’s Month Friday night at Malacañang grounds, Duterte said he learned of Beijing’s position during a joint command conference by the military and the police, where he was also told that the Philippines has sole sovereign rights over Benham Rise.