MARCOS SIGNS LAWS STRENGTHENING TERRITORIAL RIGHTS IN WPS

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed two landmark laws aimed at navigating the ever-evolving issues related to protecting national sovereignty and economic interests in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

The President signed into law two measures that would give the country’s sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea (Photo courtesy of Noel Pabalate/Business World)

President Marcos signed Republic Act (RA) 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Law aims to declare the country’s maritime zones in accordance with the standards set by UNCLOS. It will also clarify the geographical extent of the Philippine maritime domain and specify the legal powers that the Philippines may exercise over these areas.

And RA 12065 or the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Law, ensuring the protection of the country’s sovereignty and maritime domain. It will design routes and areas that shall be utilized and accessed by foreign military vessels and foreign-registered aircraft for passage.

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.

Both laws aim to define and ensure the protection of the country’s maritime domain and territorial waters pursuant to the existing legal provisions and treaties in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Signing of RAs 12064 and 12065 demonstrates the country’s commitment as a responsible member of the international community and advocacy to uphold rules-based international order according to the President.

“It is expected that the clarity of the extent of the maritime zones and the determination of the archipelagic sea lanes will impact domestic laws and regulations at the national and at the local level,” Marcos said.

“I, therefore, call on all concerned government agencies and the local governments to review rules and regulations against these new laws with a view of undertaking the necessary steps for their effective implementation,” he added.

Source: Philippine News Agency

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