PHILIPPINE ARCHIPELAGIC SEA LANES CENTER
CHARTING THE UNCHARTED: BRIDGING THE LEGAL-OPERATIONAL GAP IN PHILIPPINE MARITIME ENFORCEMENT
The recent operational training conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on maritime zones and archipelagic sea lanes reflects a commendable effort to translate newly enacted laws into actionable doctrine. Anchored on Republic Act No. 12064 and Republic Act No. 12065, the initiative signals the country’s commitment to a rules-based maritime order.
Yet beneath this progress lies a critical issue: the absence of officially published nautical charts and internationally recognized sea lanes, without which enforcement risks becoming legally vulnerable and operationally inconsistent.
PASLCI CHAIR VADM COYME GRACES POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES PARAÑAQUE’S 15TH ANNIVERSARY
Anniversary Message
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
15th Founding Anniversary
VADM JOSEPH M COYME PCG (Ret.)
28 March 2026 at PUP
Distinguished officials of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, respected faculty members, proud parents, awardees, dear students, ladies and gentlemen—good morning. Allow me to begin with the words of Nelson Mandela, who once said:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
GLOBAL OIL SHIPPING RISK AND PHILIPPINE ECONOMIC IMPACT AMID THE MIDDLE EAST WAR
By VADM Joseph M Coyme PCG (Ret) PhD | Mar 03, 2026
A Maritime Economics Perspective
As armed conflict escalates between the United State, Israel and Iran, maritime economists are closely monitoring developments in the Strait of Hormuz— one of the world’s most critical energy shipping chokepoints.
From a maritime economics standpoint, this conflict is not only a geopolitical issue but also a shipping market shock with direct implications for freight rates, marine insurance, tanker supply, and global energy pricing. For the Philippines, a trade- and import-dependent archipelagic state, these maritime disruptions translate into real domestic economic consequences.
LET’S SECURE OUR SEA ROUTES
By VADM Joseph M Coyme PCG (Ret) PhD | Feb 15, 2026
Former Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino’s recent statement on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) reflects a decisive and legally grounded position on Philippine sovereignty. As principal sponsor of Republic Act No. 12064 (Philippine Maritime Zones Act) and Republic Act No. 12065 (Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act), Tolentino emphasized that the Philippines need not debate the legitimacy of its claims over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) and the West Philippine Sea…
DO UNCLOS MEMBER STATES HAVE SOVEREIGN TERRITORY OUTSIDE THEIR EEZ
By VADM Joseph M Coyme PCG (Ret) PhD | Feb 9, 2026
Why Distance Does Not Diminish Sovereignty — and Why the Kalayaan Island Group Matters Recent remarks suggesting that the Philippines should relinquish the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) on the ground that parts of it lie outside the country’s exclusive economic zone…
POSITION PAPER: PROPOSAL FOR THE CREATION OF A MARITIME TRANSPORT SAFETY BOARD UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
By VADM Joseph M Coyme PCG (Ret) PhD | Jan 28, 2026
The Philippines, as an archipelagic nation composed of more than 7,600 islands, is heavily dependent on maritime transport for the movement of people and goods. Sea transport remains the backbone of inter-island connectivity, trade, tourism, and regional development. However, despite its importance, maritime transport in the country continues to face significant safety challenges, particularly during the typhoon season.
STRATEGIC OPTIONS FOR A MORE STABLE PHILIPPINE DEFENSE STRUCTURE WITH PESTEL ANALYSIS
By Captain Jaime Quiñones | Dec 15, 2025
The Philippines faces intensifying security pressures in the West Philippine Sea, expanding asymmetric threats, and an increasingly multipolar Indo‑Pacific environment. These dynamics raise the premium on coherent governance, sustainable modernization, and credible alliances to stabilize defense posture while avoiding internal fragmentation in the security apparatus.
Completeness, Capacity, Coordination: Strategic Insights for Philippine ASL Management from Indonesia’s Archipelagic Sea Lanes
By LT Stephen S Pagcaliwagan PCG | Dec 9, 2025
In 2024, the Philippines became just the second country in the world to designate archipelagic sea lanes (ASLs). To help the Philippines strategically plan the management of its newly designated archipelagic sea lanes, an examination of Indonesia’s rich experience in designating and managing its ASLs is crucial. Indonesia’s experience with the Alur Laut Kepulauan Indonesia (ALKI) offers a robust framework for understanding the multifaceted challenges and opportunities that the Philippines can use as a head start. What lessons can the Philippines draw from Indonesia’s experience to develop an effective ASL management strategy? Why is there a need to designate and implement archipelagic sea lanes?
Charting the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes: Lessons from Indonesia and the Imperatives for IMO Adoption
By VADM Joseph Coyme | Nov 23, 2025
As an archipelagic state under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Philippines holds the sovereign right to designate Archipelagic Sea Lanes (ASLs) through which foreign vessels and aircraft may exercise the right of archipelagic sea lanes passage. This process balances national security interests with the international community’s need for safe and uninterrupted navigation. Indonesia remains the only state to have successfully designated ASLs through the International Maritime Organization (IMO), making its experience a valuable model for the Philippines.¹ From this benchmark, the Philippines can identify the technical, legal, diplomatic, and institutional imperatives necessary for securing the adoption of Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes (PASLs).
Operationalizing the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes: A Path to Maritime Safety, Sovereignty, and Regional Connectivity
By VADM Joseph Coyme | Nov 16, 2025
The Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act (R.A. 12065), enacted in 2024, established formal routes across Philippine waters to ensure safe navigation and compliance with international maritime law. Among these routes, the Sibutu Passage stands out as a…
Although the Philippines, as an archipelagic nation, is granted the right under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to designate its archipelagic sea lanes (ASL), the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes (PASL) established under Republic Act No. 12065 must still be submitted to and approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for formal international recognition.
This process requires a comprehensive legal, technical, and diplomatic approach to meet the standards and procedures prescribed by the IMO. It is within this context that the Philippine Archipelagic Sealane Center, Inc. (PASLCI) was established — with the primary objective of supporting the efforts of the national government in preparing the country’s submission, particularly through technical studies, maritime research, and policy formulation.
PASLCI aims to serve as a vital platform for collaboration among maritime experts, government agencies, and academic institutions to ensure that the Philippines’ archipelagic sea lane proposal is technically sound, strategically aligned, and compliant with international maritime conventions.
Assistant Secretary Villamor Ventura S. Plan of the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Affairs delivered a strong message of support to the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Center Inc., recognizing its team of experts and expressing openness to future collaboration in advancing the department’s implementation of RA 12064 and RA 12065.
The PASLCI event was honored by the presence of Assistant Secretary Villamor Ventura S. Plan of the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Affairs, whose message of support underscored the government’s commitment to strengthened maritime governance and future collaboration. The event also welcomed Commodore Jay Tristan Tarriela, PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Transparency Group, whose participation reaffirmed the national importance of transparency and principled maritime stewardship.
VICE ADMIRAL JOSEPH M COYME PCG (RET),PH.D.
Chairman of the Board & President
OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Center Inc. (PASLCI)
On the First Anniversary of the Passage of Republic Act No. 12065
The Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act
November 7, 2025
The Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Center Inc. (PASLCI) proudly joins the nation in commemorating the first anniversary of the passage of Republic Act No. 12065, the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes (PASL) Act—a landmark legislation that reaffirms the Philippines’ sovereign rights, strengthens maritime governance, and ensures safe and secure passage through our archipelagic waters.
The enactment of RA 12065 marks a pivotal milestone in the country’s maritime history. It operationalizes the Philippines’ recognition under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as an archipelagic State, enabling us to designate sea lanes that balance the right of passage for international vessels with the protection of national security, marine environment, and the welfare of our coastal communities.
As a non-government organization dedicated to supporting the government’s efforts for the submission and adoption of the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), PASLCI reaffirms its full commitment to advancing the implementation of this law. We believe that the successful establishment of the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes will:
- Enhance maritime safety and security within our waters;
- Promote environmental protection and sustainable maritime practices;
- Strengthen the Philippines’ role in international maritime governance; and
- Uphold the integrity of our national sovereignty and archipelagic unity.
The passage of RA 12065 is more than a legal milestone—it is a declaration of our collective will to govern our seas responsibly, protect our people, and assert our rightful place as a maritime nation.
PASLCI calls upon all sectors—government, maritime stakeholders, academe, and civil society—to continue working together in ensuring the full realization of the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes System. Together, we sail forward toward a future where the Philippines stands as a secure, sustainable, and sovereign archipelago at the heart of the world’s oceans.
Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino. Mabuhay ang ating karagatan.
Issued this 7th day of November 2025 by the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Center Inc. (PASLCI).
The Founding Directors of Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Center Inc. (PASLCI) are Chairman Vice Admiral Joseph M Coyme PCG (Ret), Ph.D., Director Vice Admiral Robert N Patrimonio PCG (Ret), Former Undersecretary Arturo T Valdez, DOTC, DENR, (Ret), Director Captain Jaime D Quiñones MM, MA, MSC.
PASLCI GOLF TOURNAMENT FOR A CAUSE 2025
Secretary Eduardo Año of the National Security Council conveyed his full support for the PASLCI Golf Tournament for a Cause 2025 through a video message released on 02 December 2025.
The first PASLCI Golf Tournament for a Cause was held on 02 December 2025 at the Philippine Navy Golf Course. The event brought together leaders, advocates, and friends in a day of camaraderie, sportsmanship, and shared purpose. Every swing supported PASLCI’s mission to uplift communities and strengthen programs that create lasting impact. Gratitude to all players, partners, and sponsors who helped make this first tournament a meaningful success. Highlights and stories from the fairway are featured here.
