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Philippines Advances Extended Continental Shelf Claim in West Philippine Sea at UN Forum

Article by J. Salazar

Published on July 31, 2026 11:00AM



The Philippines has formally presented its case for an extended continental shelf (ECS) in the West Palawan Region before the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), marking a significant milestone in the country’s 15-year effort to secure sovereign rights over thousands of square kilometers of seabed in the West Philippine Sea. ¹ ² ³


A 15-Year Journey to Secure Seabed Rights


The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Wednesday, July 29, that the Philippine delegation, led by Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Enrique Manalo, delivered the official presentation of the country’s partial submission at the UN Headquarters in New York. ¹ ² The submission, formally deposited with the UN on June 14, 2024, seeks recognition of the Philippines’ rights over the seabed and subsoil beyond 200 nautical miles from its baselines, extending up to 350 nautical miles, in accordance with Article 76 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). ¹ ² ⁴


Under UNCLOS, a coastal state can claim an extended continental shelf if scientific data shows the seabed is a natural extension of its landmass. ² The DFA emphasized that the submission reflects the Philippines’ steadfast commitment to the UN Charter, UNCLOS, and the rules-based international order. ¹ ²


What the Philippines Stands to Gain


UN recognition of the claim would confer sovereign rights to the resources on and under the seafloor, specifically oil, gas, and minerals, in the West Palawan Region. It is important to note that an extended continental shelf does not confer fishing rights, nor does it translate to expanded territory. The UN commission can only rule on outer limits and does not settle boundaries between countries. ² ¹¹


In its presentation, the Philippines asked the commission to factor in rulings by tribunals constituted under UNCLOS, chief among them the 2016 arbitral award that voided Beijing’s sweeping claims in the West Philippine Sea. The arbitral award turned 10 on July 12, 2026. ²


Second Bid Following Philippine Rise Success


This is Manila’s second bid. The UN commission validated a Philippine Rise submission in 2012, three (3) years after filing, handing the country 135,506 square kilometers of seabed. ¹ ² In that submission, the Philippines stated that it reserved the right to make submissions in other areas in the future. ¹


The Philippine Rise, formerly known as Benham Rise, was renamed by Executive Order No. 25 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in May 2017. ¹⁰ The extended continental shelf in Philippine Rise has an area of 135,506 square kilometers, equivalent to about half of the country’s land area. ¹ ⁴


Objections from China, Vietnam, and Malaysia


In 2024, rival claimants moved quickly against Manila’s West Palawan submission. China told the UN commission in a June 18, 2024 note verbale to not consider the submission, claiming sovereignty over the South China Sea islands, the surrounding waters, and the seabed beneath. ¹ ⁴ Vietnam and Malaysia also eventually submitted their own objections. ¹ ³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶


According to the UN commission’s rules, it cannot consider or evaluate a submission if an affected state asserts an unresolved land or maritime boundary issue. ² The latest communication the commission received on the Philippines’ claim was from Malaysia on July 24, 2026, reaffirming its categorical rejection of the Philippines’ partial submission. ² ⁴ ⁵ ⁷


Malaysia said in its note verbale that it “reaffirms its categorical rejection of the Philippines’ Partial Submission,” calling it “unacceptable, and does not conform with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.” ² ⁴ ⁵ Malaysia cited the Philippines’ purported projection of its continental margin from the baselines of the Malaysian state of Sabah as a key objection. ⁴ ⁵ ⁷


Vietnam, in a communication dated July 17, 2024, also rejected the Philippines’ claim over a portion of its ECS, saying it “encroaches” upon its 200-nautical-mile continental shelf and “overlaps” with the ECS it defined in its three (3) submissions. ² ³


DFA: Philippines Stands Ready for Dialogue


Despite the objections, the Philippines has affirmed its claim to its extended continental shelf in the Western Palawan Region consistent with its maritime entitlements under UNCLOS. ¹ ³ ⁹ The DFA has reiterated its readiness to talk with Vietnam as the latter makes a new submission to the CLCS. ³


The DFA statement read that the presentation “further underscored that the submission was part of the country’s responsibility to secure a peaceful South China Sea through the rule of law in order to sustain the livelihoods of Filipinos, foster trade, protect marine biodiversity, and unite coastal and littoral States.” ²


The Extended Continental Shelf Technical Working Group, under National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) Administrator Undersecretary Peter Tiangco, alongside academics from the University of the Philippines, led the group in preparing the submission over a 15-year period. ² ⁴ ¹³

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Notes:




³ RFA. Vietnam asks Philippines to respect its interests and consult on sea boundary. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/vietnam/vietnam-sea-boundary-06212024050829.html


⁴ ASEAN Analytics Youtube. Malaysia PROTEST Against Philippines Extended Continental Shelf over SABAH. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFivJIMg4aE


⁵ South China Morning Post. Malaysia-Philippines dispute over Sabah revived with seabed claim. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3269063/indisputable-sovereignty-philippines-un-filing-reignites-sabah-dispute-malaysia


⁶ Rappler. Malaysia opposes PH claim to Sabah, portion of West PH Sea. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/malaysia-opposes-philippine-claim-sabah-portion-west-philippine-sea


⁷ Global Nation. PH revives Sabah claim in note to United Nations. https://globalnation.inquirer.net/269575/ph-revives-sabah-claim-in-note-to-united-nations


⁸ United Nations. HA 30/20 The Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations ... https://www.un.org/Depts/los/clcs_new/submissions_files/mys_12_12_2019/2020_08_27_MYS_NV_UN_003.pdf


⁹ Gas Excellence. THE PHILIPPINES' MARITIME CLAIMS OVER SABAH. https://gaexcellence.com/ijlgc/article/download/6171/5654/20654


¹⁰ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12064 - AN ACT DECLARING THE MARITIME ... https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/98027


¹¹ Channel New Asia. 'Opportune' timing: Why the Philippines is filing a seabed ... https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/philippines-south-china-sea-continental-shelf-china-malaysia-sabah-vietnam-4474626


¹² United Nations. Continental Shelf Beyond 200 M in the West Palawan Region. https://www.un.org/depts/los/clcs_new/submissions_files/phl1/2023PhlEsDoc001Secured.pdf


¹³ University of the Philippines - Diliman. West Phil Sea Layout FINAL 8 p65. https://www.ac.upd.edu.ph/acmedia/images/books-monographs/FINAL_West%20Phil%20Sea%20Primer_UP_15_July_2013.pdf


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