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Article I - The National Territory
Article I - The National Territory
ARCHIPELAGIC PRINCIPLE
Two elements:
1. The definition of internal waters (supra);
2. The straight baseline method of delineating the territorial sea consists of drawing straight lines connecting the outermost points
on the coast without departing to any appreciable extent from the general direction of the coast.
Important distances with respect to the waters around the Philippines
-Territorial Sea 12 nautical miles (n.m.)
-Contiguous Zone 12 n.m. from the edge of the territorial sea
-Exclusive Economic Zone 200 n.m. from the baseline
[includes T.S. and C.Z.]
NOTE: There can be a Continental Shelf without an EEZ, but not an EEZ without a Continental Shelf.
TERRITORIAL SEA
The belt of the sea located between the coast and internal waters of the coastal state on the one hand, and the high seas on the
other, extending up to 12 nautical miles from the low water mark.
CONTIGUOUS ZONE
Extends up to 12 nautical miles from the territorial sea. Although not part of the territory, the coastal State may exercise jurisdiction
to prevent infringement of customs, fiscal, immigration or sanitary laws.
FULL ANSWER
Historically, the Philippines has tried to claim various islands in Asia, but many of these remain disputed with other
countries also claiming the territories. For example, both China and the Philippines claim ownership of Scarborough
Shoal, and Sabah's eastern territory is currently in dispute between the Philippines and Malaysia. As of 2015, the
Philippines occupies some features of the Spratly Islands, but they are not listed as part of the official national
territory.