Tolentino: Implementation of twin maritime laws will take time

Senator Francis Tolentino on Friday said that the recent laws expanding sovereign rights, as well as establishing sea lanes for local and foreign vessels and aircraft in the territory of the Philippines, will “take some time.”

During the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas pre-rally press conference, Tolentino mentioned that the Philippine Maritime Zone Law will have to be submitted to the United Nations in June.

The Archipelagic Sea Lanes Law, on the other hand, needs to be approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London.

According to Tolentino, Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teodoro Locsin is monitoring the measure’s standing with the IMO.

“[Ambassador] Teddy Boy Locsin is focused on IMO’s session every quarter so we are still waiting for the response if anyone will oppose it because it happened in Indonesia before, Australia [also] opposed it that's why the Sea Lanes Law took so long. So what I'm saying is that this is not automatic that when we approve it, it will be implemented,” he said.

Tolentino noted that once the IMO approves the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, it will impact the Philippines’ position in defending the country’s sovereignty.

The Senate Majority Leader stressed that previous incidents of harassment committed by the Chinese Coast Guard and the People’s Liberation Army should not be repeated.

He added that with the new measures, the Philippines will be able to partner with like-minded allies, such as Japan, in conducting maritime research.

“For example, [Japan and the Philippines] conducted maritime research on an island, for example, Lawa Island, which is now full of birds. So, they can conduct marine research for three years for instance, which China cannot oppose because it is in international law,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino is one of the authors of Republic Act No. 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.