MANILA—The United States extended support on Saturday for the Philippines Maritime Zones Act, stating that it clearly defines the country’s territorial seas.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act 12064, also known as the Philippine Marine Zones Act, on Friday to enhance the country’s entitlements and responsibilities inside its marine zones.
“The United States supports the Philippines’ enactment of the Maritime Zones Act,” stated Matthew Miller, US State Department spokesperson.
“The Maritime Zones Act aligns Philippine domestic laws with the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention and the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling. This law defines the Philippines’ internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf as being in line with the Convention,” he continued.
The legislation outlines and announces the country’s maritime entitlements by the Constitution and the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS). It applies to the Philippines’ internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zones, and continental shelf.
Miller also stated that numerous countries, including those members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, had enacted similar legislation over the years.
“The United States values Philippine leadership in upholding international law, particularly in the South China Sea, and calls on all states to comport their maritime claims to the international law of the sea as reflected in the Convention,” he noted.
Marcos also signed Republic Act 12065, or the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, which established three archipelagic sea lanes. These lanes will be the sole approved and accessible locations for foreign ships and planes while maintaining national security.
Meanwhile, China has urged the Philippine ambassador to make “solemn representations” on the two new laws, urging the country to “earnestly respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests”.
The Philippines and China have an ongoing dispute over certain sections of the West Philippine Sea.
The United States, on the other hand, has routinely condemned cases in which a Chinese ship rammed or used water cannons at a Philippine vessel.