“The West Philippine Sea will be enshrined in our law, and will gain stronger recognition and support from the international community.” This sums up the significance of passing the proposed Maritime Zones Act and Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, particularly in asserting the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to Senate Majority Leader Francis ‘Tol’ Tolentino.
MANILA, Philippines – Passing the proposed Maritime Zones Act and Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act will help assert the Philippines’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the bill’s principal author and sponsor, Senate Majority Leader Francis ‘Tol’ Tolentino.
“The West Philippine Sea will be enshrined in our law, and will gain stronger recognition and support from the international community”, Tolentino stressed at the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay.
“There will now be a recognition of the name ‘West Philippine Sea.’ For the first time, a law enshrines it, whereas before, there was only an Executive Order,” Tolentino added.
“And then, we will submit these laws to the United Nations, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), which in turn, will vet and update their respective member-nations on these measures. This will strengthen international recognition in our favor.”
Built on int’l law principles
He pointed out that while both measures are domestic laws, their core are built on the principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the landmark 2016 Hague Arbitral Ruling, which favored the Philippines while invalidating China’s controversial nine-dash line claim.
“Step by step, we are able to integrate the principles of international law in our own laws, by defining our territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, sea bed, and more,” he continued.
“If you notice, more and more nations are committing to support us. The more countries accepting this doctrine and helping us, the better for us,” said the senator, referring to the bilateral agreements being forged with such countries as Japan and Germany.
‘No escalation’
Tolentino likewise dismissed speculations that the twin measures could further escalate the situation in the Philippine maritime features being claimed by China.
“This is not a provocation, nor meant to escalate tensions, but rather an invitation to recognize international law and order,” asserted the senator, who is the principal author and sponsor of the two landmark bills.
“If these measures were to escalate anything,” the senator noted, “it would be the Filipinos’ sense of pride and nationalism.”
Citing an example, he said that airlines and shipping lines would start referring to the West Philippine Sea, instead of referring to the latter as part of the South China Sea.
Tolentino underscored that this assertion encompasses the country’s claim over maritime features in its territory, as well as the energy and minerals deposited underneath, which he said rightfully belong to present and future generations of Filipinos.
“The West Philippine Sea will be enshrined in our law, and will gain stronger recognition and support from the international community.” This sums up the significance of passing the proposed Maritime Zones Act and Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, particularly in asserting the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to Senate Majority Leader Francis ‘Tol’ Tolentino.