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MANILA: The enactment of the Archipelagic Sea Lanes (ASL) bill will further boost the Philippines’ capability to govern its vast maritime domains, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said on Friday.
“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 Senate approved on Tuesday Senate Bill No. 2665 or the ASL bill.
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 likewise defines the “right of innocent passage” as the “continuous and expeditious passage of foreign vessels through the territorial sea that i
s not prejudicial to the peace, good order or security of the Philippines.”
The House of Representatives passed its version in December.
“We commend our legislators for their steadfast commitment to safeguard the interests of the Filipino people, particularly the legacy as a maritime and archipelagic people and nation, and promote our common advocacy for a rules-based international order,” it added.
The NTF-WPS said along with the updated harmonized version of the Philippine Maritime Zones bill and Republic Act No. 9522 (Philippine Baselines Act), the country aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Source: Philippines News Agency
