Philippines upholds UNCLOS amid protests from China and Malaysia

The Philippines affirmed its adherence to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on its 42nd anniversary, emphasizing that its recently enacted maritime laws align with the treaty.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) stated that the Philippines has consistently complied with UNCLOS since becoming an early signatory.

Two new laws, the Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, were signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in November to define the country's maritime boundaries and establish transit routes for foreign vessels.

China, a UNCLOS signatory, strongly protested the new Philippine laws, summoning the Philippine ambassador to express its objections.

Malaysia also lodged a protest, with a deputy foreign minister indicating that the Philippine maritime claims infringed upon Malaysia's boundaries.