The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday welcomed the passing of the Maritime Zones Bill, which defines the extent of Philippine waters, at the Philippines’ Bicameral Conference Committee.
The proposed bill was approved by the said committee on Wednesday.
“We have reconciled the provisions on internal waters and archipelagic waters, which are technical and legal. So now it is for the signing of the President,” said Senate Majority Leader Senator Francis Tolentino, the bill’s principal author.
AFP Spokesperson Colonel Margareth Padilla said that this development will significantly enhance the AFP’s capabilities in safeguarding Philippines’ maritime territories.
“The bill provides a clearer framework for asserting and protecting our national interests, contributing to more effective maritime operations and security measures,” Padilla said.
The final version of the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act includes Palawan and the Philippine Rise.
Once enacted, the measure is expected to declare the country’s maritime zones based on the standards set by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and eventually the 2016 Arbitral Ruling, which was also based on UNCLOS.
“Our rights and our boundaries are now clear there. It is good that we have a law that states where we can sail and fish,” Tolentino said.
The following would be included in the country’s maritime zones: internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf.
Maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal of the UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea said the proposed law is “foundational” in the country’s commitment to UNCLOS.
“With this act, we are also laying the groundwork for improving our law enforcement within these maritime zones,” Batongbacal said. “Even against foreign vessels in accordance with international law.”
“This act will now set the stage for that. The parameters for the Philippines coming to any agreement with China or any other nation will have been already clarified,” he explained.
Meanwhile, AFP reiterated that it remains committed to ensuring the integrity and sovereignty of Philippines’ maritime zones in accordance with this new legislative mandate.
