Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 26) — Senator Francis Tolentino on Tuesday proposed the creation of a special panel on “admiralty matters,” pointing out that there are several maritime issues that need to be tackled.
Tolentino, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, raised the idea in a plenary session following the referral of the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act.
He said the proposed Special Committee on Admiralty Matters should be created \”to hear and sponsor all measures related to maritime zone bills as well as the baseline acts.\”
Key maritime issues faced by the country include the advancement of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and producing quality Filipino seafarers.
Despite assurances that officials are in talks with Beijing, there have been several reported instances of harassment by the Chinese Coast Guard against Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea.
READ: Maritime row with China a ‘serious concern’ for Filipinos DFA
