Lt. Gen. Aurelio B. Baladad (Ret)
Navigating the promise and pitfalls of the new maritime laws
December 01, 2024 4:12 pm
Last Nov. 8, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the Maritime Zones Act (RA12064) and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act (RA12065). The two new laws, as per President Marcos, aim to “protect our maritime resources, preserve our rich biodiversity, and ensure that our waters remain a source of life and livelihood for all Filipinos.” While maintaining national sovereignty, these laws have substantial consequences. In this light, this article looks into the security, legal, and diplomatic aspects of these laws.
The Maritime Zones Act (RA12064) aligns the country’s domestic laws with the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal decision and the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention. It also outlines the internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and continental shelf. The Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act (RA12065), meanwhile, demarcates where foreign vessels and airplanes could traverse in our waters.
The potential of retired PMA graduates in public office
November 04, 2024 12:13 am
Several retired graduates from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) are running for public office for the 2025 midterm elections. This pattern of former military leaders entering politics presents the question: Can their military background be useful in government? The answer is often yes, as their training and experiences offer a unique skill set valuable for leadership roles.
‘Choklat’ Boys: Humanitarian Support Mission to East Timor (Part 2)
October 07, 2024 2:28 am
The Philippine Humanitarian Support Mission to East Timor (PhilHSMET) peacekeeping deployment was about helping East Timor. It also created an indelible mark about the virtues of the Filipino soldier that would spur future Philippine peacekeeping deployments. The knowledge gained during that period became the basis for the effective execution of the following deployments.
‘Choklat’ boys: The PH Humanitarian Support Mission to East Timor (PhilHSMET)
September 01, 2024 10:05 pm
On the 25th anniversary of the PhilHSMET, I keep thinking of how this mission changed the lives and careers of those who joined this contingent. We embarked on a journey that went beyond a regular military mission, honoring the promise of then-President Joseph Ejercito Estrada (PJEE) to send Filipino troops to assist East Timor in 1999. In this journey, we were not simply soldiers but agents of change, entering a nation torn apart by tragedy.
The West Philippine Sea challenges and opportunities
August 04, 2024 11:14 pm
The uncertainties amid the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue are critical because they present both attractive potential and significant challenges. To tackle these concerns, a broad approach that examines a tight balance between the modernization of the defense, forming alliances with international and regional partners aligned with our advocacies, and engaging diplomatically is critical. Let’s examine the outcomes, challenges, and opportunities that the nation has in handling this delicate geopolitical situation.