BBM signs laws asserting Phl sea rights, sovereignty

President Marcos signed into law yesterday two measures designating sea and air routes for foreign ships and aircraft within the country’s archipelagic waters.

- HELEN FLORES

Marcos said Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act clearly defines the extent and boundaries of the country’s maritime zones in accordance with the Constitution, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral award, which reaffirmed the Philippines’ maritime entitlements and invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

Meanwhile, RA 12065 or the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act designates three sea lanes in the country’s archipelagic waters and their corresponding air routes. These are the Celebes Sea, Sibutu Sea and Balintang Channel.

“This (RA 12064) 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,” Marcos said during the signing ceremonies at Malacañang.

“Maintaining the primacy of the UNCLOS and the 2016 arbitral award as our beacons in the maritime domain, the Philippines reaffirms its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in our waters,” the President said.

The enactment of RA 12064 sends a message to the international community that the Philippines is “staunchly committed to nurturing, cultivating and protecting its maritime domain,” the Chief Executive said.

Marcos said defining and asserting the Philippines’ maritime zones would also ensure that Filipino fishermen would be able to pursue their livelihood free from uncertainty and harassment.

Senate President Francis Escudero, Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, the principal author of RA 12064 and RA 12065, were present during the signing of the measures.

Marcos said the measures had been under deliberation since the 15th Congress and were among the Marcos administration’s priority initiatives.

Talampas ng Pilipinas