Marcos signs new laws asserting PH's sovereign rights in WPS

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday signed two landmark laws that aim to define the Philippines’ maritime zones as well as the archipelagic sea laws. 

The Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act are seen to give more teeth to the country’s legal rights over the resource-rich West Philippine Sea. 

''The passage of these two priority bills fully demonstrates our commitment as a responsible member of the international community and our advocacy to uphold rules-based international order,'' Marcos said in his speech.

''In the same breath, these signal our resolve to protect our maritime resources, preserve our rich biodiversity, and ensure that our waters remain a source of life and livelihood for all Filipinos,'' he added.

Meanwhile, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said that the newly signed laws will strengthen the country’s sovereignty and sovereign rights over the territorial waters and the airspace over it.

Photo from MPC Pool

Philippine Maritime Zones Act

The Philippine Maritime Zones Act is a declaration that Manila exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction over its internal waters, territorial sea archipelagic waters, and the airspace over it, including its seabed and subsoil. 

This is in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS and other existing laws and treaties.

This covers the contiguous zone of the Philippines, which refers to the waters beyond and adjacent to its territorial sea up to 24 nautical miles from the baselines. It further defines the exclusive economic zone, the continental shelf, and the extended continental shelf that form part of the Philippine territory. 

The law also underscored that the Philippines has the right and privilege over the high seas and the international seabed as stated in the UNCLOS and other existing laws and treaties.

In relation to this, all maritime scientific research in the maritime zones of the country shall contribute greatly to the benefit of Filipinos. 

“By asserting our rights over the sea and air, we are in effect ensuring the utilization of our rich resources in our territorial waters for the benefit of our people,” Escudero said.

Archipelagic Sea Lanes

Meanwhile, the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act designated sea lanes in archipelagic waters by foreign ships and aircraft, the Senate leader said. 

Under the new law, the system of archipelagic sea lanes, through which foreign vessels and aircraft shall exercise the right of archipelagic sea lanes passage, shall be established and designated by the President.

The law also indicated the obligations in the exercise of the right of archipelagic sea lanes passage as well as the acts prohibited on the sea lanes and over the air routes.

It also determined the liability of water and air assets for any loss or damage suffered by the Philippines or any third party due to non-compliance with the provisions of the law.

Marcos urged concerned government agencies and local government units to review rules and regulations on these new laws with a view of undertaking the necessary steps for their effective implementation.

—VAL, GMA Integrated News