The historical background, geographical extent and legal bases of the Philippine Territorial water claim
RIS ID
80694
Abstract
The Philippine territorial water claim is unique in international law. On the basis of historic right of title, the Philippines claims a rectangular territorial sea fully enclosing the entirety of the archipelago, which at some points exceed 12 nautical miles in breadth. The 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, which the Philippines signed and ratified, prescribes the maximum breadth of the territorial sea at 12 nautical miles. For this reason, the Philippine territorial sea claim has been criticized for being excessive. This paper will discuss and clarify the historical background, geographical extent, and legal bases of the Philippine territorial water claim.
Publication Details
L. Bautista, 'The historical background, geographical extent and legal bases of the Philippine Territorial water claim' (2009) 8 The Journal of Comparative Asian Development 365-395.