Philippines signs two laws to strengthen maritime claims amid South China Sea tensions

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Friday (Nov 8) signed two laws that aimed at strengthening the country's maritime claims and bolstering its territorial integrity, amid tensions with China in the South China Sea.

A report by the news agency Reuters said that the two laws – the Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act would define the Philippines’ maritime entitlements and set designated sea lanes and air routes to reinforce sovereignty and maritime rights under international law. 

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Reuters also reported that while these two laws were envisioned to help the United States (US) ally the Philippines to monitor and defend against potential encroachment, questions remained about how they would impact Chinese activity in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). 

President Marcos Jr hails the laws

President Marcos Jr hailed the laws as a demonstration of the Philippines' commitment to uphold an international rules-based order and protect its rights to exploit resources peacefully in its EEZ.

"Our people, especially our fisher folk, should be able to pursue their livelihood free from uncertainty and harassment. We must be able to harness mineral and energy resources in our sea bed," Marcos added. 

'Don't expect tensions to instantly reduce'

According to Reuters, Philippines' Senator Francis Tolentino, one of the authors of the maritime zones measure, said that he did not expect tensions in the Philippine SEZ would be instantly reduced with the implementation of the two new laws.

"China will not recognise these, but the imprimatur that we'll be getting from the international community would strengthen our position," Senator Tolentino said.

Tolentino pointed out that the laws would reinforce a 2016 arbitration ruling on the South China Sea, which declared China's expansive claims had no basis under international law. Beijing has rejected the 2016 decision.

(With inputs from agencies)