As the territorial dispute with China over areas in the West Philippine Sea remains unresolved, a measure setting limits on the entry and passage of foreign vessels and aircraft in the country’s territorial seas has been filed at the House of Representatives. Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte filed House Bill 8018, which invokes the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and establishes archipelagic lanes in the country’s territorial waters. The bill seeks to direct the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to set the archipelagic sea lanes where foreign merchant ships and warships and aircraft can pass in accordance with UNCLOS provisions.

Punay, E. (2021, January 9). House bill sets Phl's archipelagic sea lanes. The Philippine Star, p. 5.