Manila: The Philippines will neither yield nor waver in asserting its rights and interests over the West Philippine Sea. This was the commitment President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. promised to the Filipino people in his 3rd State of the Nation Address-a policy statement that continues to guide government action over the resource-rich waters.
According to Philippines News Agency, in instances where Philippine maritime missions encounter aggressive and dangerous actions from China, Manila remains steadfast in voicing strong protests. The Marcos administration is equally committed to maintaining peace without compromising the country's position, exerting efforts to defuse tensions by keeping communication lines for dialogue open.
Marcos has signed two laws over the past year-the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act-effectively reinforcing the Philippines' sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea. The Philippine Maritime Zones Act explicitly defines the extent of the country's internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf, aligning with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea, which favored the Philippines and invalidated China's "nine-dash line" claim.
The Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act designates sea lanes and air routes suitable for the continuous and expeditious passage of foreign ships and aircraft through or over its archipelagic water and the adjacent territorial sea, preventing arbitrary international passage in the Philippine archipelago. Additionally, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is advancing the standard naming of the 131 features in the Kalayaan Island Group.
Before the Chief Executive's 4th State of the Nation Address on July 28, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro stated that the DFA would sustain a Philippine maritime policy firmly rooted in international law. Lazaro believes that being aligned with the rules-based order and international law makes it easier for other nations to join the Philippines in taking a stand against illegal and unfounded claims and aggressive actions at sea.
Lazaro also noted that the Philippines would leverage partnerships and alliances with like-minded countries to strengthen the country's position and enhance its capacities. The country has deepened security cooperation with several states, forging visiting forces agreements and participating in at least 11 bilateral maritime dialogues. It has also established a historic trilateral maritime dialogue with Japan and the United States, expanding the number of states participating in its multilateral maritime cooperative activities in the West Philippine Sea.
On the multilateral front, Lazaro mentioned that Manila is committed to concluding the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea by 2026. The COC, in development for years, aims to provide a set of rules to manage tension in the disputed South China Sea if adopted between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
