Practice question
A public information office prepares a territorial chart. Its adviser argues that a revision of technical archipelagic basepoints automatically transfers every island lying outside the resulting main baseline enclosure to foreign ownership. The chart therefore deletes such islands without considering existing Philippine territorial title. The adviser relies only on the geographic position of the islands relative to the main baselines. Which criticism is strongest?
- The adviser confuses baselines used for maritime measurement with the acquisition or loss of territorial title
- Every island anywhere is Philippine territory once a chart labels it so
- Baselines are legally irrelevant for any maritime purpose
- Every feature outside the main baselines must be excluded from all Philippine claims
- A chart alone can settle all competing sovereignty claims
Legal references
- Magallona v. Ermita, G.R. No. 187167, August 16, 2011, main decision: https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/1/29267
- Republic Act No. 12064, Sections 3 to 5: https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/98027
Answer this question in flashcards to review your response and continue practicing.