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Scientist honored to represent Filipinos in asserting sovereignty over Emden Deep


The first ever Filipino to reach the third deepest spot on Earth has this to say after officially touching down on Emden Deep: "Atin ito."

In Oscar Oida's report for "24 Oras," Dr. Deo Florence Onda shared his thoughts on the historic feat he achieved on Tuesday.

Onda said he was filled with excitement and honor once he saw the light being reflected from the bottom of the sea.

"As a symbolic assertion of our sovereign rights in this oceanic part of the Philippines, I thought that was a big, big responsibility," he said.

"I thought that was a big, big privilege also to actually represent 106 million Filipinos to claim, to assert their rights in this extended heritage they have," he added.

Onda raised the Philippine flag upon reaching Emden Deep, which is located east of Mindanao in the Philippine Trench and approximately 10,045 meters below sea level.

The Emden Deep Expedition is initiated by private organization Caladan Oceanic owned by Victor Vescovo, the current record holder of the deepest manned descent in the Marianas Trench in 2019.

The voyage started from the port of Guam on March 15 through the DSSV Drop, the only marine vessel capable of carrying humans and diving repeatedly to the deepest parts of the world's oceans.

—MGP, GMA News

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