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Case Title: US Vs Bull, 15 Phil 7
Case Title: US Vs Bull, 15 Phil 7
This cruelty to animals is said to be contrary to Acts No. 55 and No. 275 of the Philippine
Constitution. It is however contended that cases cannot be filed because neither was it said that the
court sitting where the animals were disembarked would take jurisdiction, nor did it say about ships
not licensed under Philippine laws, like the ships involved.
Issue:
Whether or not the court had jurisdiction over an offense committed on board a foreign ship while
inside the territorial waters of the Philippines.
Held:
Yes. When the vessel comes within 3 miles from the headlines which embrace the entrance of Manila
Bay, the vessel is within territorial waters and thus, the laws of the Philippines shall apply. A crime
committed on board a Norwegian merchant vessel sailing to the Philippines is within the jurisdiction
of the courts of the Philippines if the illegal conditions existed during the time the ship was within
the territorial waters - regardless of the fact that the same conditions existed when the ship settled
from the foreign port and while it was on the high seas,
In light of the above restriction, the defendant was found guilty and sentenced to pay a fine of two
hundred and fifty pesos with subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency, and to pay the costs.