Exclusive Economic Zone
Philippines’: "EEZ is ours:" EEZisOurs.com
The Philippines' mission is to ensure UNCLOS Law and Order, energy security while minimizing environmental impact.
At EEZ IS OURS,
we are committed to providing sustainable solutions in the oil and gas industry for The Philippines people and protecting their safety, fishing and economic rights under UNCLOS
EEZ IS OURS
EEZisOurs.com
The evolving partnership between the United States and the Philippines in the energy sector has become a focal point of regional geopolitics, particularly in the context of the ongoing territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippines, a long-standing US treaty ally, finds itself at the center of a broader contest between adherence to international maritime law and expansionist claims by China, which continues to assert control over large swathes of the South China Sea under its self-proclaimed "nine-dash line."
This claim overlaps significantly with the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), a zone recognized under international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Recent developments in US-Philippine cooperation, especially in oil and gas exploration, signal a strategic pivot. The United States, under its Indo-Pacific strategy, is increasingly supporting nations resisting coercive behavior from China.
The Philippine offshore energy reserves—particularly in areas like Recto Bank—are not only vital to the country’s economic future, but they also represent a crucial test case for international law and regional sovereignty. US support in this sector is thus deeply symbolic as well as practically significant.
US companies are now actively exploring opportunities to invest in Philippine energy projects, bringing with them technological know-how, capital, and a political backing that serves to deter Chinese interference.
EEZisOurs.com
EEZ IS OURS
EEZisOurs.com
This growing energy partnership between The US & The Philippines is being facilitated by stronger bilateral agreements such as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT),
both of which provide a framework for increased US presence and infrastructure development in the Philippines.
The strategic logic is clear: helping the Philippines develop its energy resources under the protection of international law also pushes back against China’s gray-zone tactics—harassment of vessels, deployment of maritime militia, and military construction on artificial islands.
From an economic standpoint, tapping into its offshore energy reserves could help the Philippines reduce its dependence on imported fuel and improve energy security. With demand rising and current supply channels vulnerable to global price fluctuations and geopolitical tensions, domestic production is crucial.
US involvement not only accelerates this process, but also introduces higher standards of transparency and environmental sustainability—two areas where Chinese partnerships have often faced criticism.
**Legally, the US has been vocal in its recognition of the 2016 Hague ruling that invalidated most of China’s maritime claims**
Although Washington is not a claimant in the South China Sea disputes, its commitment to freedom of navigation and a rules-based order has made it a key player. Its growing footprint in the Philippine energy sector therefore serves a dual role:
reinforcing legal norms while strengthening the capacity of an ally to resist coercive pressure. China, however, views these developments with deep concern. It has repeatedly warned against “external interference” and has accused the US of “militarizing” the South China Sea.
Beijing’s actions—ranging from diplomatic protests to aggressive maneuvers at sea—reflect its intention to dissuade other nations from following Manila’s example.
Yet the Philippines, emboldened by US support and growing regional backing, appears more determined than ever to assert its rights.
In essence, the US’s strategic interest in the Philippine oil and gas industry is reshaping the power dynamics of the West Philippine Sea.
It is transforming energy cooperation into a platform for asserting sovereignty, defending international law, and challenging China's hegemonic ambitions.
As the situation evolves, this alliance could serve as a blueprint for other countries facing similar maritime challenges, signaling a shift toward collective resistance against unilateral expansion in the Indo-Pacific.