Philippines Presents Extended Continental Shelf Claim to UN in West Palawan

The Philippines has officially presented its claim to an extended continental shelf (ECS) in the West Palawan region to the United Nations, seeking recognition for the country's entitlements in the West Philippine Sea. This move underscores Manila's commitment to international law and the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that the Philippine delegation, led by Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Enrique Manalo, delivered the official presentation of its partial submission before the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) at UN Headquarters in New York. The submission is made pursuant to Article 76 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which allows coastal states to establish the outer limits of their continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, up to 350 nautical miles. During the presentation, the Philippines urged the CLCS to consider relevant rulings from tribunals established under UNCLOS, specifically referencing the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, which authoritatively determined the maritime entitlements of littoral states in the region. The preparation of this ECS submission was a meticulous, 15-year-long effort led by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA). This marks the Philippines' second submission for an ECS entitlement. In April 2009, the country submitted a claim for the Philippine Rise (formerly Benham Rise), which was validated by the CLCS in 2012, granting the Philippines an additional 135,506 square kilometers of seabed. In parallel with its diplomatic efforts, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has launched "The Wonderful West Philippine Sea," the first in a three-part children's e-book series. This initiative aims to educate young Filipinos about the country's marine biodiversity and the importance of protecting the West Philippine Sea, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award. The e-book follows a green sea turtle named Pawi, introducing children to marine life and conservation efforts, while also explaining threats like pollution and overfishing in an age-appropriate manner. Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna stated, "By meeting Pawi, children learn that protecting the West Philippine Sea also means protecting our food security, livelihoods, biodiversity and shared heritage. We also want them to understand, in simple terms, why the 2016 Arbitral Award matters for our nation and our seas." Two more titles are slated for release in the coming months. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. stated that he is unaware of any provisional agreement or understanding between the Philippines and China regarding rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. He suggested that conflicting statements from China indicate the absence of any such agreement. Source: Philstar Nation