Passage of sealanes bill to help govern Philippines waters

MANILA, Philippines — With the passage in the Senate of a measure setting Archipelagic Sea Lanes (ASL), the Philippines will have greater capability in governing the waters within its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said yesterday.

On Tuesday, the Senate passed on third and final reading the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Bill contained in Senate Bill 2665, a landmark measure that aims to strengthen the country’s territorial integrity and national security.

“The NTF-WPS recognizes the strategic importance of maritime legislation, which will bring attention to the proper scope of the Philippine maritime domain and the need for strategic investments in maritime security, maritime domain awareness, maritime law enforcement, sustainability of marine resources and protection of the marine environment,” the NTF-WPS said in a statement.

The bill defines ASLs as “designated sea lanes in the archipelagic waters and air routes thereabove through which foreign vessels may exercise the right of archipelagic sea lanes passage.”

The measure also defines the “right of innocent passage” as the “continuous and expeditious passage of foreign vessels through the territorial sea that is not prejudicial to the peace, good order or security of the Philippines.”

“We express our deep gratitude to the Senate for their approval on third and final reading of Senate Bill No. 2665, also known as the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Bill,” the NTF-WPS said. “This important piece of legislation is crucial in enhancing our sovereignty, national security and territorial integrity.”

The NTF-WPS said the actions in the Senate are in lockstep with efforts of the House of Representatives, which passed on final reading its version of the measure in December 2023.

NTF-WPS spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said he hopes the ASL measure would be given “positive and prompt consideration by the bicameral conference committee.”

Tarriela also dismissed as “too absurd” allegations in Chinese state media that the Philippines is building a forward base in the West Philippine Sea.

In a post on X, China’s state-run Global Times said the Philippine Coast