Practice question
A Philippine maritime research officer works beyond the territorial sea but within the undisputed Philippine EEZ. A briefing calls the area sovereign land territory and claims the Philippines may treat all international navigation there exactly as travel across private land. Another briefing says the Philippines has no power over resource exploration there. Which assessment is best?
- Both are correct because the EEZ has no rules
- Only the first is correct because resource rights equal land sovereignty
- Only the second is correct because all waters outside the territorial sea are legally irrelevant
- Both are flawed: EEZ resource rights and jurisdiction are substantial but differ from territorial sovereignty and coexist with UNCLOS rights of other States
- The area belongs personally to the research officer
Legal references
- RA 12064 (November 7, 2024), Philippine Maritime Zones Act: https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/98027; Sections 7 and 13.
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