Migration & Territorial Disputes

Migration

Refers to the movement of people from one place to another for work, study, or residence

1. Internal Migration

2. International Migration

Types of Migration:

Internal Migration

Moving within the same country (e.g., Manila to Cebu)

International Migration

Moving across borders (e.g., Filipinos working in Canada)

1. Economic reasons

2. Political instability

3. Environmental factors

Causes of Migration:

Effects of Migration: On the Individual

Financial improvement but emotional stress (family separation)

Effects of Migration: On the Community

Urbanization and overpopulation in cities

Effects of Migration: On the Economy

Remittances help the home country but lead to “brain drain”

1. Resources

2. Historical Claims

3. Strategic Location

Why do Territorial Disputes Happen?

Resources

Areas may have oil, gas, or fish, making them valuable

Historical Claims

Countries argue over past ownership

Strategic Location

Some areas are important for military or trade route

1. West Philippine Sea (Philippines vs. China)

2. Benham Rise (Philippine Rise)

3. Sabah Dispute (Philippines vs. Malaysia)

Key Disputes Involving the Philippines

West Philippine Sea (Philippines vs. China)

China claims parts of the sea using the "NineDash Line," but in 2016, the PCA ruled in favor of the Philippines

Benham Rise (Philippine Rise)

Now officially known as the Philippine Rise, is a vast undersea plateau located in the northeastern part of the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), east of Luzon

Sabah Dispute (Philippines vs. Malaysia)

The Philippines claims Sabah was leased to Britain, not sold. Malaysia rejects this claim

Territorial Disputes

A country’s sovereignty over land, waters, and airspace

1. Natural Boundaries

2. Political Boundaries

3. Maritime Boundaries

Types of Boundaries:

Natural Boundaries

Type of Boundary: Mountains, rivers, seas

Political Boundaries

Type of Boundary: Man-made divisions between countries

Maritime Boundaries

Type of Boundary: Based on UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)