The Philippines asserts claim to an extended continental shelf in the West Philippine Sea.: Philippines-continental-shelf-claim
West-PH-Sea-extended-claim

1. Philippines extended continental shelf claim
2. West Philippine Sea territorial rights
3. UNCLOS ruling on Philippines EEZ claim

The Philippines has filed a claim over an extended continental shelf (ECS) in the West Philippine Sea, marking a significant step in securing its maritime entitlements. The filing, made after over a decade of preparation, comes amidst escalating tensions with China in the area. DFA Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez emphasized the importance of exploring and exploiting natural resources in the ECS entitlement to benefit the nation for generations. The submission not only asserts the Philippines’ rights under UNCLOS but also demonstrates a commitment to responsible application of processes. This move aims to promote a rules-based international order and uphold the country’s sovereign rights in the region.

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The Philippines recently made a significant move by filing a claim before the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) over an extended continental shelf (ECS) in the West Philippine Sea. This filing, which took over 15 years to complete, is a crucial step in securing the country’s maritime entitlements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the submission of the Philippines’ claim is not only a declaration of its maritime entitlements but also a commitment to the responsible application of UNCLOS processes. This move comes at a time of heightened tensions between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea, making it all the more important to assert the country’s rights.

DFA Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Marshall Louis Alferez emphasized the significance of this submission in securing the Philippines’ sovereign rights and maritime jurisdictions in the region. He highlighted the potential resources that lie beneath the seabed and subsoil of the West Philippine Sea, which could benefit the nation and its people for generations to come.

The filing of this claim is a demonstration of the Philippines’ exclusive right to explore and exploit natural resources in its ECS entitlement. It also serves as a step towards discussing delimitation matters and forms of cooperation with relevant coastal states in the region. Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo believes that this submission can reinvigorate efforts to promote a rules-based international order and uphold UNCLOS processes.

This latest submission marks the second time that the Philippines has filed a claim for an ECS entitlement. The first submission was made in 2009 for the Philippine Rise (formerly Benham Rise), an area off the coast of Aurora province. The Philippines’ successful claim over the Philippine Rise in 2012 set a precedent for its recent filing in the West Philippine Sea.

The Extended Continental Shelf Technical Working Group (ECS-TWG), led by the National Mapping and Resource Information Agency (NAMRIA), played a crucial role in gathering and processing data to substantiate the Philippines’ submission. This inter-agency body, composed of technical, legal, diplomatic, and law enforcement experts, worked tirelessly to ensure the accuracy and validity of the claim.

In conclusion, the Philippines’ filing of a claim over an extended continental shelf in the West Philippine Sea is a significant milestone in asserting the country’s maritime entitlements and securing its sovereign rights in the region. This move not only upholds international law but also serves as a testament to the Philippines’ commitment to responsible maritime stewardship.