THE Senate yesterday afternoon passed on the third and final reading the proposed measure defining the country’s rights and entitlements over its maritime zones and underwater features.
Voting 23-0-0, the upper chamber approved Senate Bill No. 2492, or the proposed Maritime Zones Act.
Sen. Francis Tolentino, who sponsored the measure as chairperson of the Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones, said the passage of the bill is a “significant milestone” for the country amid the rising tension in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) due to China’s incursions and harassments.
The special committee was created in July 2023.
“This strengthens our integrity in our territory under the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Seas) and our historic win at the PCA (Permanent Court of Arbitration) in 2016,” Tolentino said in Filipino, adding that he proposed the legislation in response to China’s new 10-dash claim at the South China Sea.
A similar bill is pending before the House of Representatives.
In an interview before the third reading passage of the bill, Tolentino said the measure states that all structures made by any country or foreigners within the country’s territory as defined in the proposal shall be considered the property of the Philippine government.
He acknowledged, though, that the eventual enactment of the Philippine Maritime Zones law will not stop China from bullying Philippine vessels in the WPS but expressed hope that it can serve as a deterrent.
“It may deter but will not prevent the harassment of China. It will show our compliance with the arbitral ruling, UNCLOS, the rules-based regime of Maritime Law… Pagpapatunay ito na may karapatan tayo sa karagatang iyon. Kung merong hindi kikilala, meron siyang accountability at puwede siyang file-an ng case. Naniniwala ako na supportive ang global community of this measure (This will prove that we have a sovereign right in the WPS. If there will be any country or anyone who will not recognize that, they can be held accountable, and we can file cases against them. I believe that this will be supported by the global community,” Tolentino said.
“Kahit ano pong mangyari sa Bajo de Masinloc, kahit ano pong mangyari sa karagatan ng West Philippine Sea, kahit ano pong mangyari sa Benham Rise, nakatatak na po sa kasaysayan ang Philippine Maritime Zones law na magiging bantayog ng ating kalayaan (No matter what happens in Bajo de Masinloc, in West Philippine Sea, in Benham Rise, the Philippine Maritime Zones law will be etched in history as the country’s symbol of freedom),” he also said.
Senate majority leader Joel Villanueva said the measure will “reinforce our rights as an archipelagic state and will be part of the legal, political, and diplomatic strategies of the Philippines on enforcing the rule of law in our domain.”
PH-FRANCE
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr yesterday expressed interest in bolstering defense and security relations with France during a recent meeting with French senators at Camp Aguinaldo.
Teodoro discussed with the senators from the France-Southeast Asia Interparliamentary Friendship Group, led by Olivier Henno, various issues including the contested WPS in the South China Sea during the February 21 meeting.
“Discussing developments in the Indo-Pacific region along with the similarities and inter-connectedness of the region’s situation in Europe, the Philippine and French officials underscored the importance of respect for the rule of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said.
Andolong said the two sides also discussed “challenges and opportunities for archipelagic and island states, especially as security threats are compounded by environmental changes brought about by climate change.”
“They mutually recognized the close link of energy, food, health, and other aspects of national security with defense,” he also said.
Andolong said Teodoro expressed appreciation for France’s support to the Philippine position in the WPS, which is being claimed in part or whole by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
China has been aggressive in its claim and has harassed Philippine government vessels and Filipino fishermen in the area in the past months.
Andolong said Teodoro “reaffirmed his keenness to further boost bilateral defense and security cooperation between the two countries.”
“On increasing military engagements, the French delegation looked forward to visits by French assets alongside their participation in upcoming bilateral and multilateral missions in the region,” he said, adding that the DND chief likewise “highlighted greenfield opportunities for broader cooperation between the Philippines and France, including in the development and mariculture sectors.” — With Victor Reyes
