October 9, 2021
We have been reading a lot of news regarding exclusive economic zones, and tonight I have prepared something related to it.
Maritime boundaries are the division of the Earth’s water surface; it marks the exact areas where a nation can exercise its rights upon. In the Philippines, we have the EEZ or Exclusive Economic Zones where we can govern our exclusive sovereignty right to use and enjoy the territory.
Over and above, China, our neighboring country, has been doubling down on its territorial claims in the past years. It was in 2012 when Chinese fishing vessels were seen near the Scarborough Shoal. This urged the late President Benigno Aquino III to file an arbitrary case against China as they continuously assert that the West Philippine Sea is within China’s nine-dash line.
In the present year, the lawmakers proposed to declare July 12 as ‘West Philippine Sea Victory Day’ because on this day five years ago, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) arbitral tribunal decided to give the Philippines the legal victory over China.
This Arbitral Award is legally binding; it was the Philippines' landmark victory. However, the Chinese artificial islands are still there with their infrastructure and continuous operations in gaining our natural resources, undermining the source of living of the Filipino fishermen who have been abruptly blocked and harassed by Chinese coast guards.
It is clear, therefore, that we have the sovereignty rights, as it was given by the UNCLOS, but we do not have the sovereignty over our economic zones in the West Philippine Sea. First, because our government is not dealing with all the possible ways in defending the wholeness of the Philippine archipelago, and second, our country does not have the military capability to play where China is putting fire on.
Thus, we may have won the dispute legally but at the moment in time, we’re still losing our territory and maritime resources, and many Filipinos' lives are still being compromised because China fails to comply with the decision made by UNCLOS.
The United Nations is a global organization that addresses issues around the world and aims in having international peace and worldwide cooperation. It has different principal organs in which each has different objectives in order to attain the organization’s goal which is peace and security among all.
Collectively, the United Nations facilitates disputes and counterparts on conflicts that occur to its member states. Here are some of the conflicts where the United Nations has attended with its role which is to co-operate in solving international problems.
Somali Civil War
An existing civil war that started because of suppression of opposite groups and rise of inter-clan rivalries. The dissatisfaction with the government had led different groups to compete for power.
Role of United Nations:
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) was established on June 2012.
Provide support in attaining peace and order in Somalia
Help in establishing a federal government
Give advice to the government regarding peacebuilding
Maritime Dispute between China and Philippines
The Philippines filed an arbitrary case against China after the latter’s claims to the West Philippine Sea – sharply built artificial islands and infrastructure, and guarded the territory with Chinese coast guards.
Role of United Nations:
Through United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which was adopted and signed in 1982.
Enable equitable and efficient utilization of ocean resources
Establish legal framework for all marine and maritime activities
Determine a just agreement on conflicts concerning the oceans and seas.
So, that is all for this topic. We see here that it is vague yet something we need to know too 'cause it plays an important role. Have a great day!
