MALATE, Manila — Following the ratification of the proposed Archipelagic Sea Lanes Law, which was approved last month by the bicameral panel of the Senate and House of Representatives, Senate Majority Leader Francis ‘Tol’ Tolentino disclosed that the measure would strengthen Philippine territorial integrity and national security amidst the tension brought about by the disputes of rival claimants in the West Philippine Sea

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum hosted by veteran journalist Marichu Villanueva, the panel chair and author of the Senate version of the proposed law, announced that he will see its formal submission to Malacañan next week, along with a related proposed Maritime Zones Law that he also primarily authored and sponsored.

“These two laws combined would further define our territorial claims and jurisdiction over the waters around the Philippine archipelago based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) and other international laws," he pointed out.

He explained that the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Law would establish the country’s archipelagic sea lanes and passages that would define and map out the routes that foreign vessels and aircraft can take when passing the Philippines to and from their destination.

“This will not only help in defusing the tension brought about the presence of foreign ships because they will only be allowed to travel through the prescribed sea lanes. It will also significant address mishaps at sea since vessels will not be able to make their presence anywhere they want to,” he further noted.

Asked how the sea lanes were established, Tolentino revealed that the bass for the archipelagic sea lanes were matched with historical maps he bought in Paris, France that indicates the territories and portions of the sea that rightfully belong to the Philippines and dispels the claims of other countries such as China’s 10-dash line that encroaches into our country’s exclusive economic zones (EEZs).

In addition to the sea lanes law, the senator likewise revealed that a Maritime Zones Law will give tremendous support because would spell out our country’s rights and entitlements over maritime zones.

“Once the president signs these measures, both laws will be submitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which will then notify other countries of the new legislation. The IMO will be the one to enforce strict compliance mechanisms and if foreign vessels and aircraft, including military warships and aircraft do not comply, we can deny them access under this measure,” Tolentino concluded.