Philippines Deposits Bajo de Masinloc Maritime Chart with UN to Reinforce South China Sea Claims

The Philippines has formally deposited its official nautical chart of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) with the United Nations, reinforcing its maritime entitlements under international law and strengthening the country's legal position in the South China Sea. Philippine officials described the move as another milestone in promoting transparency, legal certainty, and adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Key Takeaways

• The Philippines deposited its official nautical chart of Bajo de Masinloc with the United Nations on 29 July 2026.

• The move complies with Article 16 of UNCLOS, requiring coastal states to publicize official maritime baselines.

• The chart outlines the feature's normal baselines, territorial sea, and contiguous zone.

• Philippine officials say the deposit strengthens legal certainty and transparency regarding the country's maritime claims.

• The government reaffirmed its commitment to resolving maritime disputes peacefully under international law.

The Philippine government has officially lodged NAMRIA Chart No. 1567, titled "Bajo de Masinloc and Approach," with the United Nations Secretariat, placing its official maritime boundaries for the disputed feature into the international public record. The chart was formally presented at the United Nations Headquarters in New York by Philippine Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN, alongside senior officials from the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice, the Office of the Solicitor General, and the University of the Philippines.

Prepared using internationally recognized hydrographic and geodetic standards, the chart identifies the normal baselines of Bajo de Masinloc and maps the outer limits of its territorial sea and contiguous zone in accordance with Philippine law and the provisions of UNCLOS. Philippine authorities stated that Bajo de Masinloc generates a 12-nautical-mile territorial sea and a 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone, citing the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, relevant provisions of UNCLOS, and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.

Officials added that depositing the chart with the United Nations promotes transparency by making the country's official hydrographic information publicly accessible while preserving a permanent legal record of its maritime entitlements, particularly in light of the long-term effects of climate change and sea-level rise. The Philippines reiterated that it remains committed to the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes and recognizes UNCLOS as the primary legal framework governing activities in the world's oceans and seas.

Key Quotes

According to the Philippine government, the chart deposit represents "another important milestone" in strengthening the legal certainty of the country's maritime entitlements under international law.

According to the official statement, the Philippines remains "firmly committed to the rule of law, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the primacy of UNCLOS" in governing maritime affairs.

Bajo de Masinloc, internationally known as Scarborough Shoal, is a disputed atoll in the South China Sea claimed by the Philippines, China, and Taiwan. In 2016, an arbitral tribunal constituted under UNCLOS ruled that China's expansive claims based on the "nine-dash line" had no legal basis, although Beijing rejected the ruling.

Source Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, through the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations, New York, 31 July 2026.

The filing reinforces the Philippines' legal position over Bajo de Masinloc by officially documenting its maritime boundaries through the United Nations. While the deposit itself does not resolve competing territorial claims, it strengthens the country's legal documentation under international law and contributes to greater transparency regarding its maritime jurisdiction.

The development reflects how countries increasingly rely on international legal mechanisms and official documentation to support maritime claims, particularly in the strategically important South China Sea. It may also influence future diplomatic engagements and legal discussions involving maritime boundaries in the region.

PROGRESSVIEWS ANALYSIS 

The Philippines' latest move illustrates how legal instruments and international institutions remain central to managing disputes in contested waters. Rather than relying solely on diplomatic protests, Manila continues to build a documented legal record under UNCLOS, reinforcing its long-standing position before the international community.

ℙℝ𝕆𝔾ℝ𝔼𝕊𝕊𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎𝕊 𝕀ℕ𝕊𝕀𝔾ℍ𝕋𝕊

While the deposit does not alter the situation on the ground, it strengthens the Philippines' legal and diplomatic posture. In an era of increasing maritime competition, consistent documentation, transparency, and adherence to international law are becoming as strategically important as naval presence.

Such steps are part of a long-term "legal warfare" strategy on both sides. They matter most when paired with other efforts like sustained physical presence (e.g., Philippine patrols or resupply missions), capacity-building, and diplomatic coordination. Alone, they won't dislodge control, but they prevent acquiescence and keep options open for future negotiations or third-party involvement.