A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship is spotted during a second civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 15, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — The United States on Saturday expressed its support for the passage of the Philippines Maritime Zones Act, saying it clearly defines the country's territorial sea.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inked Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act on Friday in an effort to strengthen the country's entitlement and responsibility within its maritime zones.

"The United States supports the Philippines’ enactment of the Maritime Zones Act," Matthew Miller, US State Department spokesperson said in a statement.

"The Maritime Zones Act aligns Philippine domestic laws with the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention and the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling. This law defines the Philippines internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf in line with the Convention," he continued.

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The act defines and declares the country's maritime entitlements in accordance with the Constitution and the United Nations Conventions on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS). It involves the Philippines' internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zones, and continental shelf.

Miller also said several nations have passed similar legislation over the years, including some members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

"The United States values Philippine leadership in upholding international law, particularly in the South China Sea, and calls on all states to comport their maritime claims to the international law of the sea as reflected in the Convention," he added.

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Marcos has also signed Republic Act 12065, or the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, that aims to establish three archipelagic sea lanes. These lanes will serve as the only allowed and passable areas for foreign ships and aircrafts, without compromising the country's national security.

China meantime has called on the Philippine ambassador to lodge "solemn representations" over the two new laws, saying it urges the country to "to earnestly respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests".

The Philippines and China have a longstanding dispute over some parts of the West Philippine Sea.

The US, on the other hand, has consistently condemned incidents where a Chinese ship would ram or use water cannons on a Philippine vessel.

READ: US condemns China's latest ramming of PH vessel: Follow law, stop dangerous moves

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