Constitutional Provisions on National Territory and Archipelago

Binding force of provision

No international law mandates territorial definition in constitution.

State's jurisdiction

States can assert jurisdiction over their territory.

Value of territorial definition

Defines ownership areas to prevent international conflicts.

Sovereign law enforcement

Philippines can enforce laws within its territory.

Acquisition of territories

Constitution allows future territorial acquisitions legally.

Archipelago definition

Group of islands in a body of water.

Territorial Sea

Sea extending 12 nautical miles from low watermark.

Seabed

Lands beneath the sea, holding mineral resources.

Subsoil

Resources beneath soil and seabed, including minerals.

Insular Shelves

Submerged continental portions sloping seaward.

Submarine Areas

All areas under the territorial sea.

Navigable Waters Division

Waters divided into inland, territorial, and high seas.

Inland Waters

Seas within land territory, like rivers and lakes.

Territorial Sea (Supra)

Water belt outside the coastline of inland waters.

High Seas

International waters beyond the territorial sea.

Sovereignty over waters

States exercise sovereignty over internal and territorial waters.

Innocent passage

Foreign vessels can pass through territorial sea.

Archipelagic Concept

Philippines viewed as a single unit of islands.

Internal waters

Waters around islands considered part of state sovereignty.

Archipelago Theory

Exception to the three-mile rule, now twelve miles.

UN Law of the Sea Convention

Recognizes the archipelago principle for territorial integrity.