The Philippines has formally submitted a partial claim on its extended continental shelf in the South China Sea to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2026. This move, made on July 28th, asserts seabed and subsoil rights in waters Manila considers its territory.

Rogelio Villanueva Jnr, DFA assistant secretary and spokesman for maritime affairs, stated that the submission reflects the Philippines’ “steadfast commitment to the United Nations Charter” and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Article 76 of UNCLOS allows coastal states to establish the outer limits of their continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles but not exceeding 350 nautical miles from their baselines.

The DFA emphasized that the submission aims to promote a peaceful South China Sea through adherence to the rule of law, supporting Filipino livelihoods, trade, marine biodiversity, and regional unity among coastal states. However, analysts warn that this assertion of seabed rights could complicate the Philippines’ role as ASEAN chair in 2026, potentially hindering consensus on a regional code of conduct for the disputed waterway.

Unlike sovereignty claims over islands or waters, the submission focuses on seabed and subsoil rights, with the UN commission tasked to assess the scientific and technical validity of such claims before making recommendations.

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