PH Navy: Maritime Zones Act to give AFP 'better defense approach'

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 28, 2024): PH Navy: Maritime Zones Act to give AFP 'better defense approach' (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad (PNA file photo by Priam F. Nepomuceno)

MANILA – The proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act will allow the military to have a "better approach" to protect the country's maritime territories.

"This will afford the PN (Philippine Navy) and the Armed Forces (of the Philippines) (AFP) a better approach in governing our maritime zone, the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept mentioned by the Secretary of Defense (Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr.) would allow the Navy and the AFP, or rather would mean that the Navy and the AFP would have more forces that would be able to protect and to preserve our maritime entitlements," PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Roy Vincent Trininad said in a press briefing Tuesday afternoon.

Once enacted into law, Trinidad said the measure would allow the Philippines and its military a "clearer perspective of the maritime domain."

"Thus, our governance and preserving the maritime entitlements will be much better," Trinidad pointed out.

Teodoro earlier said this concept would also allow the Philippines to project its military power into areas, including the country's exclusive economic zone, that must be protected and preserved, under the Constitution.

"So other than a forward-looking concept, we are evolving into a defense concept which projects our power into our areas where we must by Constitutional fiat and duty, protect and preserve our resources," he said.

Senate Bill No. 2492, which was unanimously passed by the Senate on Monday, aims to serve as a cornerstone of the country's maritime policy, protect sovereignty, promote sustainable development, and secure future prosperity.

The bill, principally authored and sponsored by Senator Francis Tolentino, aims to declare the rights and entitlements of the Philippines over its maritime zones, including the underwater features for the enjoyment and cultivation by Filipinos in compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The clear delineation of the maritime boundaries of the Philippines would help relevant government institutions in harnessing ocean resources and maritime spaces that are crucial in developing the country's blue economy potential, according to Tolentino.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1219703