Muling ibinandera ni Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino ang pag-apruba ng Senado sa Senate Bill 2665, or the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Bill, noong Marso ng kasalukuyang taon na may layuning palakasin ang territorial integrity at national security ng Pilipinas.
“For the first time, there will be a law designating three nautical highways within our archipelagic waters and this should be submitted to the International Maritime Organization for their concurrence because it had to be announced to all global maritime countries,” ayon kay Tolentino.
Si Tolentino, chairman ng Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zone, ang may akda ng Senate Bill 2, na magbibigay kapangyarihan sa mga law enforcement agencies ng bansa, kabilang ang Philippine Navy, upang subaybayan ang mga barkong dumaraan sa teritoryo ng Pilipinas.
“These are not just your normal sea routes. It will also include all fronts which means even aircrafts can pass through above those sea lanes,” paliwanag ni Tolentino sa panayam sa programang “Headstart” ng ANC nitong Huwebes, Agosto15.
“With the passage of the law, the Philippines can now prohibit certain vessels to play the route when certain conditions apply,” paliwanag ng Senador, na isa ring abogado.