MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Committee on Economic Affairs will hold a hearing on Wednesday on defense and security concerns in Benham Rise, its chairman said.
In a statement on the Senate website, Sen. Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian said the hearing will be a continuation of a March 7 hearing on a bill filed by Sen. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara to create a Benham Rise Development Authority.
"We have found it prudent to conduct another hearing in order to paint a clearer picture of the facts as we explore long-term strategies to uphold and defend our sovereign rights over the Benham Rise," Gatchalian said.
Benham Rise, which is part of the Philippines' extended continental shelf, has been in the news of late after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana disclosed that a Chinese ship was spotted loitering in the area for three months last year.
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