Twin booster for PH maritime zone protection
TOP Philippine security officials were ecstatic over two laws recently signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to protect the country’s maritime zones and further develop the local economy.
According to National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano, the newly-signed Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act empower the Philippine government to effectively implement its maritime laws and jurisdiction amid the conflicting claims in the West Philippine Sea.
The laws, Ano said, empower Filipinos to govern their maritime zones effectively, while promoting lawful and peaceful maritime activities.
He thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for signing the two vital legislations, marking “a pivotal moment in fortifying our maritime sovereignty and securing our national interests.”
Año also thanked the Senate and the House of Representatives for passing the landmark legislations which are aligned with international laws and in accordance with the Philippines’ rights and obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The laws provide a clear and robust legal framework to protect and manage our maritime resources and entitlements, ensuring their sustainable use for the benefit of the Filipino people, he said.
They further strengthen the country’s legal standing in line with the 2016 Arbitral Ruling and international norms, the official said.
Equally important is the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, which enables us to regulate the passage of foreign vessels and aircraft within our archipelagic waters, he said.
With the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, Año said the Philippines reaffirms its sovereignty over its internal waters, territorial sea, archipelagic waters, as well as its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf.
The legislations ensure that the country’s maritime domain remains secure and that foreign activities within its waters are effectively regulated and conducted in a manner that respects Philippine sovereignty and national security.
They establishes vital safeguards to protect both the nation’s maritime resources and the environment, reinforcing our responsibility to uphold the sanctity of our waters and airspace.
Ano said the enactment of these laws is a significant step toward securing the Philippines’ rights over its vast maritime territories, most especially in the West Philippine Sea.
The two maritime laws, he said, solidify the country’s territory while enhancing the ability of the Armed Forces in protecting our country against any infringement.
As an archipelagic and maritime nation, our seas are crucial to our economic prosperity and national security, he explained.
The NCS is committed to working closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the full implementation and enforcement of the two laws.
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