Philippines to lift ban on foreign research ships in its waters

National security adviser said that allowing foreign governments to conduct maritime research again is ‘good for us’

Duterte banned all scientific research by foreigners off the country’s Pacific coast last year

Reading Time:2 minutes

A Philippine coastguard ship sails in the South China Sea. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:01pm, 25 Oct 2019Updated: 8:10pm, 25 Oct 2019

The Philippines will lift a 2018 moratorium on foreign scientific research in its exclusive economic zone so it can exploit marine resources, the national security adviser said on Friday.

President Rodrigo Duterte banned all scientific research by foreigners off the Philippines’ Pacific coast in February last year and told the navy to chase away unauthorised vessels.

National security adviser Hermogenes Esperon said that allowing foreign governments and entities to conduct maritime research again is “good for us … because we get to know more of the maritime domain”.

The Philippines is also strengthening its capabilities to enforce fisheries laws, Esperon said, with plans to acquire more coastguard assets and develop multipurpose fishing vessels.

“Whatever we spend on defence should strengthen our position on developing our maritime domain especially the West Philippine Sea into what we call the blue economy”, Esperon told a media briefing.

Manila calls the South China Sea the West Philippine Sea.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x