The Philippine Territory

Summary

The video script outlines the definition of Philippine territory as per the 1987 Constitution, highlighting the archipelagic doctrine which includes all islands and internal waters. It explains that foreign vessels require permission to navigate within the internal waters. The territorial sea extends 12 nautical miles from the baseline, with a contiguous zone and an exclusive economic zone extending up to 200 nautical miles, emphasizing the Philippines' sovereignty over these maritime areas.

Takeaways

• 🏝️ The Philippine territory is defined by Article 1 of the 1987 Constitution, encompassing the entire Philippine archipelago and its waters.
• 🌊 The archipelagic doctrine includes all waters around, between, and connecting the islands of the archipelago as part of the Philippines' internal waters.
• 🚫 Foreign vessels do not have the right of innocent passage in the internal waters of the Philippines and require permission to navigate.
• 📏 The territorial sea extends 12 nautical miles from the baseline or low water marks of the Philippines.
• 🛳️ Adjacent to the territorial sea is the contiguous zone, which extends another 12 nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline.
• 🌐 The exclusive economic zone (EEZ) extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baselines, allowing the Philippines special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources.
• 🏔 The national territory includes not only the land but also the airspace above and the seabed and subsoil below.
• 🛂 The concept of sovereignty and jurisdiction is crucial in defining the extent of the Philippines' control over its territorial waters and airspace.
• 🏞️ The internal waters consist of waters within the archipelago, such as bays, rivers, and lakes, where foreign vessels cannot navigate freely.
• 🛃 The territorial sea is a part of the national territory where the Philippines exercises full sovereignty and control.
• 💡 The script highlights the importance of understanding the legal framework that governs the Philippine territory and its maritime zones.

Q & A

What is the basis for determining the Philippine territory according to the 1987 Constitution?

The Philippine territory is outlined under Article 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which includes the Philippine archipelago with all the islands and waters embraced therein, and all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction.

What is the significance of the archipelagic doctrine mentioned in the script?

The archipelagic doctrine is the second sentence of the Philippine Constitution's Article 1, which states that the waters around, between, and connecting the islands of the archipelago form part of the internal waters of the Philippines, regardless of their breadth and dimensions.

What are the internal waters of the Philippines?

The internal waters of the Philippines consist of the waters surrounding, between, and connecting the islands of the archipelago, including waters in bays, rivers, and lakes.

Does the concept of innocent passage apply to the internal waters of the Philippines?

No, there is no right of innocent passage in the internal waters of the Philippines, meaning foreign vessels cannot navigate without permission.

What is the territorial sea of the Philippines?

The territorial sea of the Philippines extends 12 nautical miles from the baseline or the low water marks.

What is the Contiguous Zone and how far does it extend from the territorial sea?

The Contiguous Zone is an area adjoining the territorial sea and extends up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline.

What is the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and how far does it extend from the baselines?

The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baselines and is an area where the Philippines has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources.

What are the components of the Philippine territory according to the script?

The components of the Philippine territory include its terrestrial, aerial domains, territorial sea, seabed, subsoil, insular shelves, and other submarine areas.

What does the term 'archipelago' refer to in the context of the Philippine Constitution?

In the context of the Philippine Constitution, 'archipelago' refers to the group of islands that constitute the Philippines, including all the islands and waters embraced therein.

What is the legal status of foreign vessels in the internal waters of the Philippines?

Foreign vessels in the internal waters of the Philippines are not allowed to navigate without permission, as there is no right of innocent passage.

How does the archipelagic doctrine affect the maritime zones around the Philippines?

The archipelagic doctrine affects the maritime zones by including the waters around, between, and connecting the islands as part of the internal waters, which are subject to the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Philippines.