Metro Manila, Philippines— The new maritime zones law is an important milestone in asserting the country’s rights particularly in the West Philippine Sea, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino said on Friday, Nov. 8.

Maritime zone law would really enshrine, domesticate in our Philippine laws what we obtain through the 2016 arbitral ruling,” he said in a press briefing.He said this is also the first time that the term West Philippine Sea is in legislation.Tolentino said the new law is a response to criticisms that the country has no means of enforcing the 2016 arbitral award.The passage of the Maritime Zones Law is an implementation of the ruling,” he said.