Philippines, Indonesia sea boundary agreement goes into force

August 2, 2019

A  maritime boundary agreement between the Philippines and Indonesia, which delineates overlapping exclusive economic zones, entered into force on Thursday more than 20 years after it was first discussed by the two countries.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi signed the protocols of exchange of the instruments of ratification on the delimitation of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) between the two countries at the sidelines of the 52nd Association of South East Asian Nations ministerial meeting in Bangkok.

"The agreement is expected to benefit both countries, economically and politically, by promoting more bilateral cooperation in the EEZ in order to advance the common interest of managing and preserving the resources in the EEZ and further strengthening maritime security cooperation between the two countries," said the DFA in a statement.

The agreement between the Philippines and Indonesia was first discussed in June 1994.

It was formally signed by the two countries on May 23, 2014 in Manila and  ratified by President Rodrigo Duterte on February 15, 2017 and by the Indonesian Parliament on April 27, 2017.

The Philippine Senate voted unanimously to adopt the accord on June 3, 2019. 

Wide overlaps in the EEZ of the Philippines and Indonesia, which run across the Mindanao Sea and Celebes Sea, and in the southern section of the Philippine Sea in the Pacific Ocean, required the two countries to negotiate  on a shared boundary. DMS