MANILA, Philippines - Former Senate president Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. has urged the government to ensure that no other country will claim ownership of a potential energy source within Philippine territory.
“It has been discovered that China can manufacture, use the ‘flammable ice’ as basis for their fuel for 50 years, replacing fossil fuel,” Pimentel said during a forum at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City yesterday.
Scientifically known as methane hydrates, “flammable ice” is considered a potential source of energy as it can yield huge amounts of natural gas.
Reports said mining and extraction of the ice are difficult due to its flammable nature.
It was reported recently that China was able to extract and process “flammable ice” from an area in the South China Sea that it controls.
With developments on the processing of the energy source, Pimentel said those within the Philippine territory should be protected from other countries.
“I want that issue to be also embodied on our minds because huge portions of ‘flammable ice’ are found in many parts of the Philippines and the danger of these being claimed by other nations is great,” he said.
“We have to be assertive over every inch of this country… These are things that we have to assert to be sure that we are not being taken advantage of by the more powerful nations,” he added.