A. Scope of National Territory

Scope

> ARTICLE I National Territory The national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein, and all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction, consisting of its terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial domains, including its territorial sea, the seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and other submarine areas. The waters around, between, and connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of their breadth and dimensions, form part of the internal waters of the Philippines.

Definition

The national territory is comprised of —

• Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein;
• Internal waters – waters around, between, and connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of breadth and dimension; and
• All other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction. It consists of —
• Territorial sea, seabed, subsoil, insular shelves, and other submarine areas
• Terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial domains [Article I, 1987 Constitution]

Internal Waters: The waters around, between, and connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of their breadth and dimensions, form part of the internal waters of the Philippines [Article I, 1987 Constitution].

Composition of National Territory

• Philippine Archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein;
• Internal Waters: waters around, between and connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of breadth and dimension; and
• All other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction.

It consists of:

• Territorial sea, seabed, subsoil, insular shelves, and other submarine areas; and
• Terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial domains.

Provision on National Territory

The National Territory comprises the Philippine Archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein, and all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction, consisting of its terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial domains, including its territorial sea, the seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and other submarine areas. The waters around, between, and connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of their breadth and dimension, form part of the internal waters of the Philippines (PHIL. CONST., art. I)

Future Acquisitions included in National Territory

The clause includes any territory presently belonging or those that might in the future belong to the Philippines through any of the accepted international modes of acquiring territory.