WE welcome the news about two new laws signed last Nov. 8 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., two measures governing maritime zones and sea lanes that would strengthen the country's claim over the West Philippine Sea. Republic Act 12064, also known as the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, aims to declare the country's maritime zones according to the standards set by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos). It aims to set up more firmly the legal bases for the conduct of social, economic, commercial, and other activities in these areas. The maritime zones covered by RA 12064 include internal waters, archipelagic waters, the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and the continental shelf.
It will also clearly define the geographical limits of the Philippine maritime domain and specify the legal powers that the Philippines may exercise over these areas.
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