Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Resolution No._________

Introduced by REP. EDWARD S. HAGEDORN

RESOLUTION
URGING THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION IN SECURING
THE PHILIPPINE SOVEREIGN RIGHTS TO THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE IN THE
WEST PHILIPPINE SEA, PROTECTING LOCAL FISHER PEOPLE AND THE PHILIPPINE
COASTGUARD FROM HARASSMENTS AND THE PROMOTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY’S FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION AND OVERFLIGHT IN THE REGION
THROUGH THE CONDUCT OF JOINT MULTI-LATERAL MARITIME PATROLS WITHIN THE
AREA OF THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA.
WHEREAS, the West Philippine Sea (WPS), being an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
where the Philippines exercises sovereign rights in accordance with international law, is subject
to continued harassments and aggressive actions by Chinese Coast Guards (CCG) and Militia
Vessels against Filipino fishermen and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The most recent
being the 5 August 2023 incident where CCG water cannoned Philippine vessels escorting
boats for routine troop rotation and resupply mission to AFP personnel stationed on BRP Sierra
Madre in Ayungin Shoal;
WHEREAS, the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Canada, France,
Germany, South Korea and the European Mission in Manila have expressed serious concerns
over the 5 August 2023 actions by the CCG as these acts of harassment undermine Philippine
sovereignty and territorial integrity, impeding the exercise of the Philippines' Sovereign Rights
and maritime interests in the region;
WHEREAS, the Permanent Court of Arbitration's Ruling on the WPS, issued on 12 July
2016, recognized the Philippines' Sovereign Rights over the EEZ and continental shelf under
UNCLOS, thereby affirming its Sovereign Rights over resources in the WPS and rejecting
China's excessive territorial claims;
 WHEREAS, on the occasion of the 7th year anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal
Ruling, the international community reiterated its unequivocal support to the ruling, in particular
the United States, Japan, and Australia, the Delegation of the European Union together with the
Embassies of the EU Member States to the Philippines - Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Germany,
Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Romania, Slovakia (non-
resident), Finland, and Sweden, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law, the
rights of coastal states, and the promotion of freedom of navigation and overflight in the South
China Sea (SCS);
WHEREAS, despite the numerous diplomatic protests lodged by the Philippines to
China, the CCG and Militia Vessels remain undeterred and have even intensified their
harassments against local fisher people and the PCG, in total violation of the Sovereign Rights
of the Philippines based on international laws, UNCLOS, and the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Ruling;
WHEREAS, there is now an imminent need to shift to a more definitive and concrete
action to assert the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the WPS, deter further harassments, and
to uphold and preserve the freedom of navigation and overflight in the WPS and SCS;
WHEREAS, on 1 May 2023, His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and His
Excellency President Joseph R. Biden Jr. issued a Joint Statement during the former’s state visit
to the US. In the joint statement, they declared that they “welcome cooperation with partners
that share the United States’ and the Philippines’ commitment to international law and mutual
respect” and that “they look forward to establishing trilateral modes of cooperation among the
Philippines, Japan, and the United States, as well as the Philippines, Australia, and the United
States.” Furthermore, they welcome the “Quad’s commitment to support a peaceful and stable,
rules-based region with ASEAN at the center, through its efforts to advance a free and open
Indo-Pacific.”
WHEREAS, officials from the Philippines and US have openly stated in various
occasions and fora the intention to conduct a joint maritime patrol within the WPS for the
protection of the Philippines Sovereign Rights, regional stability and the freedom of navigation
and overflight;
WHEREAS, joint maritime patrols have been used internationally as a mechanism to
promote peace and security at sea and is grounded in international law principles, including
UNCLOS and customary international law.
WHEREAS, Article 98 of the UNCLOS established a “duty to render assistance” to
persons found at sea in danger of being lost as well as to rescue persons in distress, thereby
establishing on principle a basis for cooperation and shared obligation among party states in
promoting maritime safety and security for all persons. Likewise, the “Principle of Cooperation”
in customary international law provides that states should work together to achieve common
goals, address shared challenges, and promote mutual interests.
WHEREAS, the 1987 Constitution provides for a strong basis for joint maritime patrols
as a means of protecting the interest of the State through the following:
Section 2, Article II, states that the "Philippines renounces war as an instrument of
national policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of
 the law of the land and adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom,
cooperation, and amity with all nations."
Article II, Section 7 states that the “State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In
its relations with other states, the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty,
territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination."
Article XII, Section 2 states that the “State shall protect the nation's marine wealth in its
archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use
and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens."
Article XVI, Section 3 states that the “Armed Forces of the Philippines shall secure the
sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory."
WHEREAS, aside from a “joint maritime patrol” with the US, a “joint multilateral
maritime patrol” with several like-minded and allied States will be seen as a stronger and more
resolute initiative considering the regional and multi-national significance and impact of the
ongoing issues and interest in the WPS and SCS. Thus, the Philippine government is urged to
engage with as many willing and like-minded allied States as possible in the conduct of the joint
multilateral maritime patrol in the area of the WPS.
WHEREAS, a joint multilateral maritime patrol in the WPS, conducted in collaboration
with like-minded nations, is imperative to deter unlawful aggression and harassment, assert the
Sovereign Rights of the Philippines, protect the freedom of navigation and overflight, preserve
the marine ecology, and uphold the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Decision;
WHEREAS, the joint multi-lateral maritime patrol will enhance regional and international
cooperation and foster a collective response to address security challenges and transnational
crimes, including illegal fishing and piracy. Likewise, a united effort in conducting joint multi-
lateral maritime patrols will demonstrate the commitment of the Philippines and its partners to
protect the rule of law and uphold the rights of coastal states under UNCLOS;
WHEREAS, the joint multi-lateral maritime patrol in the WPS will strengthen the capacity
of the PCG and enhance maritime domain awareness, thus bolstering the country's capability to
protect its marine resources and territorial waters as well as its EEZ;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved, that:
1. The Philippine government is urged to conduct a joint multi-lateral maritime patrol
in the WPS, in collaboration with other like-minded nations, to safeguard
Philippine sovereign rights and uphold the freedoms, rights and duties
established in UNCLOS, in particular the freedoms of navigation and overflight.

2. The joint multi-lateral maritime patrol also aims to protect Filipino fishermen and
the Philippine Coast Guard from harassment by foreign vessels, reinforce the
rule of law in the WPS, and preserve the marine environment.

3. The Philippine government is called upon to strengthen regional and international

cooperation through joint multi-lateral maritime patrols to address maritime
security challenges, promote secure, free and open maritime supply routes in the
 Indo-Pacific, in full compliance with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS, in
the interest of all.
4. The Congress of the Philippines expresses its unwavering support for the
Philippine government's efforts to defend its sovereign rights, territorial integrity,
and maritime interests in the WPS through joint multi-lateral maritime patrols.

5. A copy of this resolution shall be furnished to the President of the Republic of the
Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of National
Defense, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources the Philippine Coast Guard, and other relevant agencies
for their appropriate action.

Approved this ___ day of _____________, 2023.

REP. EDWARD S. HAGEDORN