Kurt M. Campbell Deputy Secretary of State | Official Website
The United States has expressed its support for the Philippines following the enactment of the Maritime Zones Act, which was signed into law by President Marcos on November 8, 2024. This legislation aligns Philippine domestic laws with both the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention and the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling. The act delineates various maritime zones such as internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf in accordance with international standards.
Similar legislation has been adopted by many other countries over time, including those within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The passage of this act is considered a standard procedure that provides further clarity to Philippine maritime law.
The United States acknowledges "Philippine leadership in upholding international law," particularly concerning issues in the South China Sea. It also urges all nations to align their maritime claims with "the international law of the sea as reflected in the Convention."
