by VADM Joseph Coyme PCG (Ret.), Ph.D. | Feb 15, 2026 | Articles
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....
by VADM Joseph Coyme PCG (Ret.), Ph.D. | Feb 9, 2026 | Articles
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...
by VADM Joseph Coyme PCG (Ret.), Ph.D. | Jan 28, 2026 | Articles
I. Introduction 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...
by VADM Joseph Coyme PCG (Ret.), Ph.D. | Nov 23, 2025 | Articles
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...
by VADM Joseph Coyme PCG (Ret.), Ph.D. | Nov 16, 2025 | Articles
Abstract 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...
