Manila, Nov 8 (EFE).- The Philippines approved two new laws on Friday aimed at reaffirming its sovereignty in the South China Sea, where it maintains disputes with China.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (C), signs into law two new maritime bills as Senate President Francis Escudero (L) and House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez (R) look on during ceremonies at the Malacanang Presidential Palace in Manila, Philippines, 08 November 2024. EFE-EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law the Maritime Zones and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes bills following their approval by Congress.
“Today, we gather for the signing of two very significant laws that emphasize the importance of our maritime and archipelagic identity,” the president said at the signing ceremony.
“With these pieces of legislation, we align our domestic laws with international law, specifically the UN Conventions on the Law of the Sea or UINCLOS to improve our capacity for governance and reinforce our maritime policies for economic development and for national security,” he added.
The Maritime Zones Law “clearly defines the extent of our maritime entitlements and fully declares their meets and bounds in accordance with our constitution…This is essential in establishing the extent of our maritime jurisdiction and to ensure that our rights and duties as an archipelagic state are well defined in order that all Filipinos can rightfully enjoy the riches of our seas.
The president stressed that Philippine fisherfolk should be able to pursue their livelihood “free from uncertainty and harassment” and the country should be able to harness mineral and energy resources in the sea bed, in a veiled reference to China and its expansionist aspirations in the region.
With respect to the second law, Marcos Jr. said that “the designated archipelagic sea lanes and air routes aim to facilitate safe passage for foreign ships and aircraft without compromising national security or diminishing security for good environmental stewardship.”
“These sea lanes will offer continuous, expeditious, and unobstructed transit for vessels and air transport while obliging them to comply with navigational regulations and procedures, as well as with the air rules of flight safety and protocols,” he added.
Manila and Beijing are engaged in sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea, through which about 30 percent of global trade passes and which is home to 12 percent of the world’s fishing grounds, as well as having potential oil and gas deposits.
Since Marcos came to power in 2022, the Philippines has been more assertive in defending its territory, in the face of China’s claims to virtually the entire sea, airing its complaints about frequent collisions between ships from both countries.
Beijing had already expressed its discontent with these laws in March, after the Philippine senate approved the Maritime Zones Act, calling them illegal and detrimental to regional stability. EFE
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