Benhur Abalos (left), President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Facebook)

Former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Benhur Abalos has joined the chorus of the personalities who are hailing President Marcos' recent signing of two landmark maritime security measures.

“These laws are what our country needs today in order to preserve and protect what is legally ours against illegal incursions,” Abalos, a lawyer, said in a statement Saturday, Nov. 9.

The senatorial aspirant was referring to Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.

The twin laws, Abalos stressed, reinforce the Philippines' control over its maritime zones and archipelagic waters.

Abalos , a lawyer, also applauded Congress under the leadership of House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero for championing these legislative measures.

He said these laws will enable the government to effectively designate the country’s archipelagic sea lanes and corresponding air routes above them.

“Through these laws, the government will be able to monitor the movement of foreign vessels and aircraft,” added Abalos, who explained that the law, specifically the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Acr establishes a system of archipelagic sea lanes and air routes, through which foreign vessels and aircraft shall exercise the right of archipelagic sea lanes passage.

The enactment of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act are critical, particularly in the light of repeated incidents where Chinese vessels disrespected our territorial boundaries, according to Abalos. 

He cited past incidents such as in March when Chinese fishing boats were spotted within the country’s exclusive economic zone. 

The Philippine Maritime Zones Act or Republic Act (RA) No. 12064 clarifies the country’s jurisdiction over its contiguous zone and EEZ, further delineating areas up to 24 nautical miles from the baselines and ensuring the protection of resources within this area.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act ensures the protection of the country's sovereignty and maritime domain by designating the routes and areas that shall be utilized and accessed by foreign military vessels and foreign registered aircraft for passage, pursuant to the UNCLOS and the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

“These new laws will clearly define and strengthen our jurisdiction and our sovereign rights over our territorial water and the airspace over it ,” Abalos stressed. 

Abalos had earlier condemned a recent incident involving a Chinese maritime militia vessel, which, on Oct.11, attempted to block the path of the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship BRP Datu Cabaylo near Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.

Abalos, who is running for senator under the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, also rallied Filipinos to stand united behind President Marcos’ firm stance on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue. 

“Let’s support our President in his efforts for China to respect us as a nation and the 2016 tribunal ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping claims over the [WPS],” he concluded.