Manila: The Philippines took a significant step on Saturday by filing a claim with the United Nations for an extended continental shelf (ECS) in the South China Sea, amidst ongoing maritime disputes with China.
“Today we secure our future by making a manifestation of our exclusive right to explore and exploit natural resources in our ECS entitlement,” stated Marshall Louis Alferez, assistant secretary for maritime and ocean affairs at the foreign ministry.
China asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, conflicting with claims by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. This strategic waterway, crucial for global trade amounting to $3 trillion annually, is believed to harbor substantial reserves of oil, natural gas, and fish.
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In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled against China’s expansive claims, a decision rejected by Beijing. China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to queries regarding the Philippines’ recent U.N. filing.
Amidst confrontations involving Philippine vessels and Chinese coastguard ships, incidents have included the aggressive use of water cannons, collision maneuvers, and reportedly military-grade laser technology. The presence of a Chinese fishing fleet is viewed by Manila and its allies as a maritime militia.
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The Philippines’ claim specifically targets the West Palawan Region, within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the submission following a thorough scientific and technical assessment of the continental shelf in the area.
The filing is based on the provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, allowing states to establish the outer limits of their continental shelves, encompassing the seabed and subsoil up to 350 nautical miles. In 2012, the UN recognized Benham Rise, located off the Philippines’ east coast and not disputed by China, as part of the Philippines’ extended continental shelf.
