Duterte plans to visit Pag-asa Island, rename Benham Rise

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday made pitches to affirm the nation's sovereign rights in two challenged waterways - the West Philippine Sea and Benham Rise.

The President said he wants to visit Pag-asa Island to raise the Philippine banner there on June 12, Independence Day.

"I may go to Pag-asa Island to raise the banner there," Duterte told correspondents on the sidelines of his visit to the base camp of the military's Western Command (Wescom).

The Wescom is responsible for watching the West Philippine Sea, which incorporates Pag-asa Island, one of the greatest islands in the debated Spratlys.

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Duterte likewise said he had requested the Armed Forces to "possess" the nine islands in the Kalayaan gathering of islands in the Spratlys, and construct framework there.

"We attempted to be companions with everyone except we need to keep up our purview now, at any rate the regions under our control. Also, I have requested the Armed Forces to involve all these such a variety of islands, I think nine or 10 — put structures and the Philippine banner," Duterte said.

"The advancement there has my full support. Gagastos ako sa fortress diyan (I will spend cash for the stronghold there)," he included.

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Protection Secretary Delfin Lorenzana elucidated in an announcement that these islands have been "in our ownership since long back," focusing on that administration troops have been sent to each of the islands.

He clarified that the President needs to manufacture sleeping enclosure for the fighters, sewage transfer frameworks, control generators, beacons, and asylums for the anglers.

Amid the presidential battle, Duterte said he would ride a stream ski to the Spratly Islands to raise the Philippine banner and avow the nation's rights over the questioned reefs. In the wake of attracting fire for neglecting to do as such, Duterte said the announcement was only a metaphor to stress that the Philippines is not surrendering any of its region.

China claims responsibility for the whole South China Sea. This incorporates parts of the Philippines' restrictive financial zone which previous President Benigno Aquino III, in an authoritative request, named the West Philippine Sea.

'Philippine Ridge'

Duterte additionally said Thursday he needs to "authoritatively assert" Benham Rise and change its name to "Philippine Ridge."

"I need to incorporate the Benham Rise on the correct side of the Philippines in the Pacific. I will authoritatively guarantee it as our own and rename it. Not Benham Rise. I'll call it the Philippine Ridge," he said.

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This comes after the administration voiced worry over the nearness of a Chinese vessel in Benham, an asset rich undersea level off the bank of Aurora area. The United Nations has ruled the range to be a piece of the Philippines' amplified mainland rack where the nation has sole rights to the assets.

China has conceded its ship was in a zone east of the nation yet just on honest entry, saying it perceives the nation's sovereign rights over Benham Rise.

Duterte has more than once said the legislature will seek after discretionary converses with China over regional debate, focusing on that the nation can't stand to go to war against the Asian goliath.