Press Release
March 12, 2009

Philippine Interest At Spratlys Protected By New Baselines Law

Senator Rodolfo G Biazon today said Republic Act No. 9522 or the Philippine Archipelagic Baselines Law provides the legal basis for the protection of the Philippine interest in the Spratlys.

"Since there are 6 claimants countries for part, or the whole of the Spratlys, there will always be disputes relative to jurisdiction among the claimants in so far as territorial seas, contiguous zones and exclusive economic zones. "

"The only way that any conflict or dispute over the area will be resolved is for the United Nations body to provide a resolution."

"The claimant countries are signatories to the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea and therefore the UNCLOS is the sole basis for the resolution of any dispute."

"The Baselines law is required to be submitted to the United Nations with May 13 as the deadline. The law had been crafted to be compliant with provisions of the UNCLOS especially those provisions providing the concept of "regime of islands"."

"Without this Baselines law, or, if this Baselines law is not compliant with the UNCLOS, any Philippine claims or any defense of these claims will be weak."

"The Philippines has the advantage of occupying the islands that could sustain human habitation since the late 1960s and early 1970s. The other claimants except Taiwan are occupying features that do not fall under the definition of what is an island under the UNCLOS."

"With this Baselines law, the Philippines has provided a legal basis for the Philippine claims or a protection of these claims in the United Nations, " Biazon concluded.

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