ON BOARD BRP DAVAO DEL SUR: President Rodrigo Duterte said he would still allow but “strictly” enforce commercial fishing in the Philippine Rise (Benham Rise) after he proclaimed the 13-million hectare undersea region a marine protected area.

Duterte made the remark on Tuesday after he signed the proclamation during the send-off ceremony for the 50 Filipino scientists who will conduct marine research in the underwater region off the coast of Aurora province.