B.

CONCEPT OF THE STATE

TERRITORY

REPUBLIC ACT No. 3046

(as amended by RA 5446)
AN ACT DEFINE THE BASELINES OF THE TERRITORIAL SEA OF THE PHILIPPINES.
WHEREAS, the Constitution of the Philippines describes the national territory as comprising all the
territory ceded to the United States by the Treaty of Paris concluded between the United States and
Spain on December 10, 1898, the limits of which are set forth in Article III of said treaty, together with all
the islands embraced in the treaty concluded at Washington, between the United States and Spain on
November 7, 1900, and in the treaty concluded between the United States and Great Britain on January
2, 1930, and all the territory over which the Government of the Philippine Islands exercised jurisdiction
at the time of the adoption of the Constitution;

WHEREAS, all the waters within the limits set forth in the above-mentioned treaties have always been
regarded as part of the territory of the Philippine Islands;

WHEREAS, all the waters around, between and connecting the various islands of the Philippines
archipelago, irrespective of their width or dimension, have always been considered as necessary
appurtenances of the land territory, forming part of the inland or internal waters of the Philippines;

WHEREAS, all the waters beyond the outermost islands of the archipelago but within the limits of the
boundaries set forth in the aforementioned treaties comprise the territorial sea of the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the baselines from which the territorial sea of the Philippines is determined consist of
straight lines joining appropriate points of the outermost islands of the archipelago; and

WHEREAS, the said baselines should be clarified and specifically defined and described for the
information of all concerned; Now, therefor,
Section 1. The baselines for the territorial sea of the Philippines are hereby defined and described
specifically as follows:
Distance in
N. Latitude E. Longitude Asimuth
Meters

Y'ami Island (E) 21º07'03" 121º57'24" 353º27' 71,656

Line 1 (Yami I. (E.) — Tumaruk Rk.)

Tumaruk Rk. 20º28'28" 122º02'06" 347º13' 58,105

Line 2 (Tumaruk Rk. — Balintang Is.)

Balintang Island 19º57'45" 122º09'28" 375º05' 97,755

Line 3 (Balingtang Is.— Didicas Rk.)

Didicas Rk. 19º04'50" 122º12'18" 350º39' 86,155

Line 4 (Didicas Rk. - Iligan Pt.)

Iligan Pt. 18º18'45" 122º20'15" 351º23' 136,030

Line 5 (Iligan Pt. - Ditolong Pt.)

Ditolong Pt. 17º05'50" 122º31'44" 16º56' 34,378

Line 6 (Ditolong Pt. - Diviuisa Pt.)

Diviuisa Pt. 16º48'00" 122º26'06" 21º01' 57,781

Line 7 (Diviuisa Pt. - Dijohan Pt.)

Dijohan Pt. 16º18'45" 122º14'28" 10º52' 142,360

Line 7a (Dijohan Pt. - Bulubalik Pt.)

Bulubalik Pt. 15º02'56" 121º59'30" 300º15' 120,986

Line 8 (Bulubalik Pt. - Tinaga I.)
Tinaga I. 14º29'45" 122º57'40" 286º27' 148,690
Line 9 (Tinaga I. - Horadaba Rks.)

Horadaba Rks. 14º06'41" 124º16'54" 306º34' 1,083

Line 10 (Horadaba Rks. — Matulin
Rk.)

Matulin Rk. 14º06'20" 124º17'23" 331º46' 178,480

Line 11 (Matulin Rk. - Atalaya Pt.)

Atalaya Pt. 12º40'59" 125º04'02" 313º30' 22,268

Line 11a (Atalaya Pt. - Finch Rk.)

Finch Rk. 12º32'40" 125º12'57" 313º56' 12,665

Line 12 (Finch Rk. - SE of Manjud Pt.)

SE Manjud pt. 12º27'54" 125º17'59" 322º27' 14,225

Line 12a (SE of Manjud Pt. - Sora Cay)

Sora Cay 12º21'47" 125º22'46" 321º03' 22,793

Line 13 (Sora Cay - Bunga Pt.)

Bunga Pt. 12º12'10" 125º30'40" 331º50' 12,686

Line 13a (Bunga Pt. - Tubabao I.)

Tubabao I. 23º06'06" 125º33'58" 355º22' 83,235

Line 14 (Tubabao I. - Tugnug Pt.)

Tugnug Pt. 11º21'06" 125º37'40" 331º03' 75,326

Line 15 (Tugnug Pt. - Suluan I.)

Suluan Island 10º45'20" 125º57'40" 347º51' 107,070

Line 16 (Suluan I. - Tuason Pt.)

Tuason Pt. 9º48'33" 126º10'00" 355º25' 55,415

Line 17 (Tuason Pt. - Cauit Pt.)

Cauit Pt. 9º18'35" 126º12'25" 342º44' 49,703

Line 18 (Cauit Pt. Arangasa Is.)

Arangasa Is. 8º52'50" 126º20'28" 348º40' 131,330

Line 19 Arangasa Is. - Quinablangan
I.)

Quinablangan I. 7º42'58" 126º34'30" 353º08' 25,619

Line 19a (Quinablangan I. - Above
Languyan R.)

Above Languyan R. 7º29'10" 126º36'10" 356º52' 22,489

Line 20 (Above Languyan R. — Pusan
Pt.)

Pusan Pt. 7º16'59" 126º36'50" 26º39' 36,259

Line 21 (Pusan Pt. - Tuguban Pt.)

Tuguban Pt. 6º59'24" 126º28'00" 20º33' 83,350

Line 22 (Tuguban Pt. - Cape S.
Agustin N.)

Cape San Agustin (N) 6º17'03" 126º12'08" 30º16' 1,707

Line 22a (Cape S. Agustin (N) — Cape
San Agustin (S)

Cape San Agustin (S) 6º16'15" 126º11'40" 39º23' 125,100

Line 23 (Cape S. Agustin (S) —
Panguil Bato Pt.)

Panguil Bato Pt. 5º23'45" 125º28'42" 66º32' 7,484

Line 23a (Panguil Bato Pt. - Tapundo
Pt.)

Tapudo Pt. 5º22'08" 125º24'59" 89º19' 7,667

Line 24 (Tapundo Pt. - Manamil I.)

Manamil I. 5º22'05" 125º20'50" 139º01' 3,051

Line 24a (Manamil I. - Balut I. (W)

Balut I. (W) 5º23'20" 125º19'45" 124º47' 149,840

Line 25 (Balut I. (W) - Middle of 3 Rk.
Awash)

Middle of 3 Rk. Awash 6º09'39" 124º13'02" 86º18' 259,400

Line 26 (Middle of 3 Rk. Awash —
Tongquil I.)

Tongquil I. 6º00'15" 121º52'45" 61º29' 115,950

Line 27 (Tongquil I. - Sumbasumba I.)

Sumbasumba I. 5º30'10" 120º57'35" 43º19' 44,445

Line 28 (Sumbasumba I. - Kinapusan
Is.)

Kinapusan Is. 5º12'37" 120º41'05" 63º14' 101,290

Line 29 (Kinapusan Is. - Manuk
Manka I.)

Manuk Manka I. 4º47'50" 119º52'10" 58º30' 80,847

Line 30 (Manuk Manka I. - Frances
Reef)

Frances Reef 4º24'54" 119º14'54" 134º34' 29,330

Line 31 (Frances Reef - Bajapa Reef)

Bajapa Reef 4º36'04" 119º03'36" 164º05' 13,480

Line 32 (Bajapa Reef) - Panguan I.)

Panguan I. 4º43'06" 119º01'36" 238º48' 42,470

Line 33 (Panguan I. - Omapoy I.)

Omapoy I. 4º55'02" 119º21'15" 246º11' 51,005

Line 34 (Omapoy I. - Sanga-Sanga I.)

Sanga-Sanga I. 5º06'12" 119º46'30" 170º05' 80,200

Line 35 (Sanga-Sanga I. - Pearl Bank)

Pearl Bank 5º49'04" 119º39'01" 103º13' 137,050

Line 36 (Pearl Bank - Baguan I.)

Baguan I 6º06'00" 118º26'42" 76º52' 15,535

Line 36a (Banguan I. - Taganak I.)

Taganak I. 6º04'05" 118º18'30" 118º39' 24,805

Line 37 (Taganak I. - Gt. Bakkungaan
O

Gt. Bakkungaan 6º10'32" 118º06'42" 136º04' 18,470

Line 37a (Gt. Bakkungaan - Sibaung
I.)

Sibaung I. 6º17'45" 117º59'45" 215º36' 79,915

Line 38 (Sibaung - I. Muligi I.

Mulugi I. 6º53'00" 118º25'00" 119º14' 140,541

Line 39 (Mulugi I. - Mangsee Is.)

Mangsee Is. 7º30'10" 117º18'20" 134º50 48,815

Line 39a (Mangsee Is. - Cape
Melville)

Cape Melville 7º48'50" 116º59'30" 153º54' 15,665

Line 40 (Cape Melville - Ligas Pt.)

Ligas Pt. 7º56'28" 116º55'45" 170º40' 5,666

Line 41 (Ligas Pt. - Cay)

Cay 7º59'30" 116º55'15" 204º52' 22,925

Line 41a (Cay-Secam I.)

Secam I. 8º10'47" 117º00'30" 209º09' 54,900

Line 42 (Secam I. - N. of Canipan Bay)

N. of Canipan Bay 8º36'50" 117º15'06" 218º57' 18,570

Line 43 (N. of Canipan Bay — Tatub
Pt.)

Tatub Pt. 8º44'40" 117º21'28" 222º04' 45,125

Line 44 (Tatub Pt. - Punta Baja)

Punta Baja 9º02'50" 117º37'58" 223º30' 32,194

Line 45 (Punta Baja - Malapackun I.)

Malapackun I. 9º15'30" 117º50'04" 225º50' 148,260

Line 46 (Malapackun I. - Piedras Pt.)

Piedras Pt. 10º11'28" 118º48'18" 203º19' 124,900

Line 47 (Piedras Pt. - Tapuitan I.)

Tapuitan I. 11º13'40" 119º15'28" 208º47' 136,590

Line 48 (Tapuitan I. - Pinnacle Rk.)

Pincle Rk. 12º18'34" 119º51'45" 200º40' 134,230

Line 49 (Pinnacle Rk. - Cape Calavite

Cape Calavite 13º26'40" 120º18'00" 148º12' 58,235

Line 50 (Cape Calavite - Cabra I.)

Cabra I. 13º53'30" 120º00'58" 179º26' 113,400

Line 51 (Cabra I. - Capones Is.)

Capones Is. 14º55'00" 120º00'20" 168º09' 58,100

Line 52 (Capones Is. - Pa-Lauig Pt.)

Palauig Pt. 15º25'50" 119º53'40" 164º17' 40,870

Line 53 (Palauig. - Hermana Mayor I.)

Hermana Mayor I. 15º47'10" 119º47'28" 167º10' 20,490

Line 53a (Hermana Mayor —
Tambobo Pt.)

Tambobo Pt. 15º58'00" 119º44'55" 181º43' 22,910

Line 54 (Tambobo Pt. - Rena Pt.)

Rena Pt. 16º10'25" 119º45'18" 191º39' 18,675

Line 54a (Rena Pt. - Cape Bolinao

Cape Bolinao 16º20'20" 119º47'25" 226º20' 80,016

Line 55 (Cape Bolinao - Darigayos Pt.)

Darigayos Pt. 16º50'15" 120º20'00" 179º58' 81,616

Line 56 (Darigayos Pt. - Dile Pt.)

Dile Pt. 17º34'30" 120º19'58" 188º27' 12,060

Line 56a (Disle Pt. - Pinget I.)

Pinget I. 17º40'58" 120º20'58" 192º46' 27,170

Line 56b (Pinget I. - Badoc I.)

Badoc I. 17º55'20" 120º24'22" 195º03' 65,270

Line 57 (Badoc I. - Cape Bojeador)

Cape Bojeador 18º29'30" 120º34'00" 222º16' 101,740

Line 58 (Cape Bojeador - Dalupiri I.)

Dalupiri I. 19º10'15" 121º13'02" 213º29' 25,075

Line 59 (Dalupiri I. - Catanapan Pt.)

Catanapan Pt. 19º21'35" 121º20'56" 202º27' 116,870

Line 60 (Catanapan Pt. - Dequey I.)

Dequey I. 29º20'06" 121º46'35" 180º47' 42,255

Line 61 (Dequey I. - Raile)

Raile 20º43'00" 121º46'55" 200º30' 48,140

Line 62 (Raile - Y'ami I. (W)

Y'ami I.(W) 21º07'26" 121º56'39" 238º40' 237

Line 63 (Y'ami I. (W) - Y'ami I. (M)

Y'ami I. (M) 21º07'30" 121º56'46" 307º08' 1,376

Line 64 (Y'ami I.(M) - Y'ami I. (E)

Y'ami I. (E) 21º07'03" 121º57'24"

Section 2. All waters within the baselines provided for in Section one hereof are considered inland or
internal waters of the Philippines.
Section 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Republic Act No. 5446

September 18, 1968
as amended by R.A. 9522

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION ONE OF REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED THIRTY HUNDRED AND FORTY-SIX,
ENTITLED "AN ACT TO DEFINE THE BASELINES OF THE TERRITORIAL SEA OF THE PHILIPPINES"

Section 1. To correct typographical errors, Section one of Republic Act numbered thirty hundred and
forty-six is amended to read as follows:

"SECTION 1. The baselines for the territorial sea of the Philippines are hereby defined and described
specifically as follows:
N. Latitude E. Longitude Azimuth Distance (In
Meters)
Y’ami Island (E) 21º07’03" 121º57’24"
Line 1 (Y’ami I. (E.) - Tumaruk Rk.) 353º27’ 71,656
Tumaruk Rk. 20º28’28" 122º02’06"
Line 2 (Tumaruk Rk. - Balintang Is.) 347º13’ 58,105
Balintang Islands 19º57’45" 122º09’28"
Line 3 (Balintang Is. - Didicas Rk.) 357º05’ 97,755
Didicas Rk. 19º04’50" 122º12’18"
Line 4 (Didicas Rk. - Iligan Pt.) 350º39’ 86,155
Iligan Pt. 18º18’45" 122º20’15"
Line 5 (Iligan Pt. - Ditolong Pt.) 351º23’ 136,030
Ditolong Pt. 17º05’50" 122º31’44"
Line 6 (Ditolong Pt. - Diviuisa Pt.) 16º56’ 34,375
Diviuisa Pt. 16º48’00" 122º26’06"
Line 7 (Diviuisa Pt. - Dijohan Pt.) 21º01’ 57,781
Dijohan Pt. 16º18’45" 122º14’28"
Line 7a (Dijohan Pt. - Bulubalik Pt.) 10º52’ 142,360
Bulubalik Pt. 15º02’56" 121º59’30"
Line 8 (Bulubalik Pt. - Tinaga I.) 300º15’ 120,980
Tinaga I. 14º29’45" 122º57’40"
Line 9 (Tinaga I. - Horadaba Rks.) 286º27’ 148,690
Horadaba Rks. 14º06’41" 124º16’54"
Line 10 (Horadaba Rks. - Matulin Rk.) 306º34’ 1,083
Matulin Rk. 14º06’20" 124º17’23"
Line 11 (Matulin Rk. - Atalaya Pt.) 331º46’ 178,480
Atalaya Pt. 12º40’59" 125º04’02"
Line 11a (Atalaya Pt. - Finch Rk.) 313º30’ 22,263
Finch Rk. 12º32’40" 125º12’57"
Line 12 (Finch Rk. - SE of Manjud Pt.) 313º56’ 12,663
SE Manjud Pt. 12º27’54" 125º17’59"
Line 12a (SE of Manjud Pt. - Sora Cay) 322º27’ 14,225
Sora Cay 12º21’47" 125º22’46"
Line 13 (Sora Cay - Bunga Pt.) 321º03’ 22,761
Bunga Pt. 12º12’10" 125º30’40"
Line 13a (Bunga Pt. - Tubabao I.) 331º50’ 12,646
Tubabao I. 12º06’06" 125º33’58"
Line 14 (Tubabao I. - Tugnug Pt.) 355º22’ 83,225
Tugnug Pt. 11º12’06" 125º37’40"
Line 15 (Tugnug Pt. - Suluan I.) 331º03’ 75,326
Suluan Island 10º45’20" 125º37’40"
Line 16 (Suluan I. - Tuason Pt.) 347º51’ 107,070
Tuason Pt. 9º48’33" 126º10’00"
Line 17 (Tuason Pt. - Cauit Pt.) 355º25’ 55,415
Cauit Pt. 9º18’35" 126º12’25"
Line 18 (Cauit Pt. Arangasa Is.) 342º44’ 49,703
Arangasa Is. 8º52’50" 126º20’28"
Line 19 (Arangasa Is. - Quinablangan I.) 348º40’ 131,330
Quinablangan I. 7º42’58" 126º34’30"
Line 19a (Quinablangan I - Above Languyan R.) 353º08’ 25,619
Above Languyan R. 7º29’10" 126º36’10"
Line 20 (Above Languyan R. - Pusan Pt.) 356º52’ 22,489
Pusan Pt. 7º16’59" 126º36’50"
Line 21 (Pusan Pt. - Tugubun Pt.) 26º39’ 36,259
Tugubun Pt. 6º59’24" 126º28’00"
Line 22 (Tugubun Pt. - Cape S. Agustin N.) 20º33’ 83,350
Cape San Agustin (N) 6º17’03" 126º12’08"
Line 22a (Cape S. Agustin (N) - Cape San Agustin (S) 30º16’ 1,707
Cape San Agustin (S) 6º16’15" 126º11’40"
Line 23 (Cape S. Agustin (S) - Panguil Bato Pt.) 39º23’ 125,100
Panguil Bato Pt. 5º23’45" 125º28’42"
Line 23a (Panguil Bato Pt. - Tapundo Pt.) 66º32’ 7,484
Tapundo Pt. 5º22’08" 125º24’59"
Line 24 (Tapundo Pt. - Manamil I.) 89º19’ 7,667
Manamil I. 5º22’05" 125º20’50"
Line 24a (Manamil I. - Balut I. (W) 139º01’ 3,051
Balut I. (W) 5º23’20" 125º19’45"
Line 25 (Balut I. (W) - Middle of 3 Rk. Awash) 124º47’ 149,840
Middle of 3 Rk. Awash 6º09’39" 124º13’02"
Line 26 (Middle of 3 Rk. Awash - Tongquil I.) 86º18’ 259,400
Tongquil I. 6º00’15" 121º52’45"
Line 27 (Tongquil I. - Sumbasumba I.) 61º29’ 115,950
Sumbasumba I. 5º30’10" 120º57’35"
Line 28 (Sumbasumba I. - Kinapusan Is.) 43º19’ 44,445
Kinapusan Is. 5º12’37" 120º41’05"
Line 29 (Kinapusan Is. - Manuk Manka I.) 63º14’ 101,290
Manuk Manka I. 4º47’50" 119º52’10"
Line 30 (Manuk Manka I. - Frances Reef) 58º30’ 80,847
Frances Reef 4º24’54" 119º14’54"
Line 31 (Frances Reef - Bajapa Reef) 134º34’ 29,330
Bajapa Reef 4º36’04" 119º03’36"
Line 32 (Bajapa Reef - Panguan I.) 164º05’ 13,480
Panguan I. 4º43’06" 119º01’36"
Line 33 (Panguan I. - Omapoy I.) 238º48’ 42,470
Omapoy I. 4º55’02" 119º21’15"
Line 34 (Omapoy I. - Sanga-Sanga I.) 246º11’ 51,003
Sanga-Sanga I. 5º06’12" 119º46’30"
Line 35 (Sanga-Sanga I. - Pearl Bank) 170º05’ 80,200
Pearl Bank 5º49’04" 119º39’01"
Line 36 (Pearl Bank - Baguan I.) 103º13’ 137,050
Baguan I. 6º06’00" 118º26’42"
Line 36a (Baguan I. - Taganak I.) 76º52’ 15,535
Taganak I. 6º04’05" 118º18’30"
Line 37 (Taganak I. - Gt. Bakkungaan) 118º39’ 24,805
Gt. Bakkungaan 6º10’32" 118º06’42"
Line 37a (Gt. Bakkungaan-Sibaung I.) 136º04’ 18,470
Sibaung I. 6º17’45" 117º59’45"
Line 38 (Sibaung - I. Muligi I.) 215º36’ 79,915
Muligi I. 6º53’00" 118º25’00"
Line 39 (Muligi I. - Mangsee Is.) 119º14’ 140,541
Mangsee Is. 7º30’10" 117º18’20"
Line 39a (Mangsee Is. - Cape Melville) 134º50’ 48,815
Cape Melville 7º48’50" 116º59’30"
Line 40 (Cape Melville - Ligas Pt.) 153º54’ 15,665
Ligas Pt. 7º56’28" 116º55’45"
Line 41 (Ligas Pt. - Cay) 170º40’ 5,666
Cay 7º59’30" 116º55’15"
Line 41a (Cay-Secam I.) 204º52’ 22,925
Secam I. 8º10’47" 117º00’30"
Line 42 (Secam I. - N. of Canipan Bay) 209º09’ 54,990
N. of Canipan Bay 8º36’50" 117º15’06"
Line 43 (N. of Canipan Bay-Tatub Pt.) 218º57’ 18,570
Tatub Pt. 8º44’40" 117º21’28"
Line 44 (Tatub Pt. - Punta Baja) 222º04’ 45,125
Punta Baja 9º02’50" 117º37’58"
Line 45 (Punta Baja - Malapackun I.) 223º30’ 32,195
Malapackun I. 9º15’30" 117º50’04"
Line 46 (Malapackun I. - Piedras Pt.) 225º50’ 148,260
Piedras Pt. 10º11’28" 118º48’18"
Line 47 (Piedras Pt. - Tapiutan I.) 203º19’ 124,900
Tapiutan I. 11º13’40" 119º15’28"
Line 48 (Tapiutan I. - Pinnacle Rk.) 208º47’ 136,590
Pinnacle Rk. 12º18’34" 119º51’45"
Line 49 (Pinnacle Rk. - Cape Calavite) 200º40’ 134,230
Cape Calavite 13º26’40" 120º18’00"
Line 50 (Cape Calavite-Cabra I.) 148º12’ 58,235
Cabra I. 13º53’30" 120º00’58"
Line 51 (Cabra I. - Capones Is.) 179º26’ 113,400
Capones Is. 14º55’00" 120º00’20"
Line 52 (Capones Is. - Palauig Pt.) 168º09’ 58,100
Palauig Pt. 15º25’50" 119º53’40"
Line 53 (Palauig. - Hermana Mayor I.) 164º17’ 40,870
Hermana Mayor I. 15º47’10" 119º47’28"
Line 53a (Hermana Mayor I. - Tambobo Pt.) 167º10’ 20,490
Tambobo Pt. 15º58’00" 119º44’55"
Line 54 (Tambobo Pt. - Rena Pt.) 181º43’ 22,910
Rena Pt. 16º10’25" 119º45’18"
Line 54a (Rena Pt. - Cape Bolinao) 191º39’ 18,675
Cape Bolinao 16º20’20" 119º47’25"
 Line 55 (Cape Bolinao - Darigayos Pt.) 226º20’ 80,016
Darigayos Pt. 16º50’15" 120º20’00"
Line 56 (Darigayos Pt. - Dile Pt.) 179º58’ 81,616
Dile Pt. 17º34’30" 120º19’58"
Line 56a (Dile Pt. - Pinget I.) 188º27’ 12,060
Pinget I. 17º40’58" 120º20’58"
Line 56b (Pinget I. - Badoc I.) 192º46’ 27,170
Badoc I. 17º55’20" 120º24’22"
Line 57 (Badoc I. - Cape Bojeador) 195º03’ 65,270
Cape Bojeador 18º29’30" 120º34’00"
Line 58 (Cape Bojeador - Dalupiri I.) 222º16’ 101,740
Dalupiri I. 19º10’15" 121º13’02"
Line 59 (Dalupiri I. - Catanapan Pt.) 213º29’ 25,075
Catanapan Pt. 19º21’35" 121º20’56"
Line 60 (Catanapan Pt. - Dequey I.) 202º27’ 116,870
Dequey I. 20º20’06" 121º46’35"
Line 61 (Dequey I. - Raile) 180º47’ 42,255
Raile 20º43’00" 121º46’55"
Line 62 (Raile - Y’ami I. (W) 200º30’ 48,140
Y’ami I. (W) 21º07’26" 121º56’39"
Line 63 (Y’ami I. (W) - Y’ami I. (M) 238º40’ 237
Y’ami I. (M) 21º07’30" 121º56’46"
Line 64 (Y’ami I. (M) - Y’ami I. (E) 307º08’ 1,376
Y’ami I. (E) 21º07’03" 121º57’24"

Section 2. The definition of the baselines of the territorial sea of the Philippine Archipelago as provided
in this Act is without prejudice to the delineation of the baselines of the territorial sea around the
territory of Sabah, situated in North Borneo, over which the Republic of the Philippines has acquired
dominion and sovereignty.

Section 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1599

ESTABLISHING AN EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, an exclusive economic zone extending to a distance of two hundred nautical miles from the
baselines from which the territorial sea is measured is vital to the economic survival and development of
the Republic of the Philippines;

WHEREAS, such a zone is now a recognized principle of international law;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers
vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby decree and order:

Section 1. There is hereby established a zone to be known as the exclusive economic zone of the
Philippines. The exclusive economic zone shall extend to a distance of two hundred nautical miles
beyond and from the baselines from which the territorial sea is measured: Provided, That, where the
outer limits of the zone as thus determined overlap the exclusive economic zone of an adjacent or
neighboring state, the common boundaries shall be determined by agreement with the state concerned
or in accordance with pertinent generally recognized principles of international law on delimitation.
Section 2. Without prejudice to the rights of the Republic of the Philippines over it territorial sea and
continental shelf, it shall have and exercise in the exclusive economic zone established herein the
following;
(a) Sovereignty rights for the purpose of exploration and exploitation, conservation and management of
the natural resources, whether living or non-living, both renewable and non-renewable, of the sea-bed,
including the subsoil and the superjacent waters, and with regard to other activities for the economic
exploitation and exploration of the resources of the zone, such as the production of energy from the
water, currents and winds;
(b) Exclusive rights and jurisdiction with respect to the establishment and utilization of artificial islands,
off-shore terminals, installations and structures, the preservation of the marine environment, including
the prevention and control of pollution, and scientific research;
(c) Such other rights as are recognized by international law or state practice.
Section 3. Except in accordance with the terms of any agreement entered into with the Republic of the
Philippines or of any license granted by it or under authority by the Republic of the Philippines, no
person shall, in relation to the exclusive economic zone:
(a) explore or exploit any resources;
(b) carry out any search, excavation or drilling operations:
(c) conduct any research;
(d) construct, maintain or operate any artificial island, off-shore terminal, installation or other structure
or device; or
(e) perform any act or engage in any activity which is contrary to, or in derogation of, the sovereign
rights and jurisdiction herein provided.

Nothing herein shall be deemed a prohibition on a citizen of the Philippines, whether natural or juridical,
against the performance of any of the foregoing acts, if allowed under existing laws.

Section 4. Other states shall enjoy in the exclusive economic zone freedoms with respect to navigation
and overflight, the laying of submarine cables and pipelines, and other internationally lawful uses of the
sea relating to navigation and communications.

Section 5. (a) The President may authorize the appropriate government office/agency to make and
promulgate such rules and regulations which may be deemed proper and necessary for carrying out the
purposes of this degree.
(b) Any person who shall violate any provision of this decree or of any rule or regulation promulgated
hereunder and approved by the President shall be subject to a fine which shall not be less than two
thousand pesos (P2,000.00) nor be more than one hundred thousand pesos (100,000.00) or
imprisonment ranging from six (6) months to ten (10) years, or both such fine and imprisonment, in the
discretion of the court. Vessels and other equipment or articles used in connection therewith shall be
subject to seizure and forfeiture.

Section 6. This Decree shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication in the Official Gazette.

Republic Act No. 9522

March 10, 2009

AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3046, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 5446, TO DEFINE THE ARCHIPELAGIC BASELINE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled::

Section 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 3046, entitled "An Act to Define the Baselines of the Territorial
Sea of the Philippines", as amended by Section 1 of Republic Act No. 5446, is hereby amended to read as
follows:

Section 1. The baselines of the Philippines archipelago are hereby defined and described specifically as
follows:
Basepoint Station Location World Geodetic System of 1984 Distance
Number Name (WGS 84) Coordinates to next
 Latitude (N) Longitude (E) basepoint
(M)
1 PAB-01 Amianan Is. 21º6’57.73" 121º57’27.71" 70.08
2 PAB-02 Balintang Is. 19º57’38.19" 122º9’46.32" 99.17
3 PAB-04 Bigan Pt. 18º18’35.30" 122º20’19.07" 71.83
4 PAB-05A Ditolong Pt. 17º7’16.30" 122º31’28.34" 1.05
5 PAB-05B Ditolong Pt. 17º6’14.79" 122º31’43.84" 0.39
6 PAB-05 Ditolong Pt. 17º5’51.31" 122º31’42.66" 3.29
7 PAB-06 Spires Is. 17º2’36.91" 122º31’3.28" 9.74
8 PAB-06B Digollorin Pt. 16º59’18.03" 122º27’56.61" 3.51
9 PAB-06C Digollorin Rk. 16º49’56.11" 122º26’50.78" 2.40
10 PAB-07 Divimisa Pt. 16º47’38.86" 122º26’4.40" 30.94
11 PAB-08 Dinoban Pt. 16º18’44.33" 122º14’06.69" 116.26
12 PAB-10A Tinaga Is. 14º29’54.43" 122º57’51.15" 80.29
13 PAB-11 Horodaba Rk. 14º6.29.91" 124º16’59.21" 0.54
14 PAB-12 Matulin Rk. 14º6.10.40" 124º17’26.28" 96.04
15 PAB-13 Atalaya Pt. 12º41’6.37" 125º3’53.71" 6.79
16 PAB-13A Bacan Is. 12º36’18.41" 125º8’50.19" 5.52
17 PAB-14 Finch Rk. 12º32.33.62" 125º12’59.70" 0.80
18 PAB-14A Cube Rk. 12º31.57.45" 125º13’32.37" 4.90
19 PAB-14D NW Manjud Pt. 12º28’36.42" 125º17’12.32" 1.30
20 PAB-15 SE Manjud Pt. 12º27’37.51" 125º18’5.23" 7.09
21 PAB-16A S Sorz Cay 12º21’41.64" 125º23’7.41" 5.68
22 PAB-16B Panablihon 12º17’27.17" 125º27’0.12" 5.21
23 PAB-16C Alugon 12º13’21.95" 125º30’19.47" 1.94
24 PAB-16D N Bunga Pt. 12º11’48.16" 125º31’30.88" 0.54
25 PAB-17 E Bunga Pt. 12º11’20.67" 125º31’48.29" 5.71
26 PAB-18A SE Tobabao Is. 12º6’7.00" 125º34’11.94" 83.94
27 PAB-19C Suluan Is. 10º45’16.70" 125º58’8.78" 56.28
28 PAB-19D N Tuason Pt. 9º49’59.58" 126º10’6.39" 57.44
29 PAB-20A Arangasa Is. 8º53’16.62" 126º20’48.81" 40.69
30 PAB-21B Sanco Pt. 8º13’11.53" 126º28’53.25" 30.80
31 PAB-22 Bagoso Is 7º42’45.02" 126º34’29.08" 12.95
32 PAB-22C Lan
Magalona v. Ermita

In March 2009, Republic Act 9522, an act defining the archipelagic baselines of the Philippines was
enacted – the law is also known as the Baselines Law. This law was meant to comply with the terms of
the third United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III), ratified by the Philippines in
February 1984.
Professor Merlin Magallona et al questioned the validity of RA 9522 as they contend, among others, that
the law decreased the national territory of the Philippines hence the law is unconstitutional. Some of
their particular arguments are as follows:
a. the law abandoned the demarcation set by the Treaty of Paris and other ancillary treaties – this also
resulted to the exclusion of our claim over Sabah;
b. the law, as well as UNCLOS itself, describes the Philippine waters as “archipelagic” waters which, in
international law, opens our waters landward of the baselines to maritime passage by all vessels
(innocent passage) and aircrafts (overflight), undermining Philippine sovereignty and national security,
contravening the country’s nuclear-free policy, and damaging marine resources, in violation of relevant
constitutional provisions;
c. the classification of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), as well as the Scarborough Shoal (bajo de
masinloc), as a “regime of islands” pursuant to UNCLOS results in the loss of a large maritime area but
also prejudices the livelihood of subsistence fishermen.

ISSUE: Whether or not the contentions of Magallona et al are tenable.

HELD: No. The Supreme Court emphasized that RA 9522, or UNCLOS, itself is not a means to acquire, or
lose, territory. The treaty and the baseline law has nothing to do with the acquisition, enlargement, or
diminution of the Philippine territory. What controls when it comes to acquisition or loss of territory is
the international law principle on occupation, accretion, cession and prescription and NOT the execution
of multilateral treaties on the regulations of sea-use rights or enacting statutes to comply with the
treaty’s terms to delimit maritime zones and continental shelves.
The law did not decrease the demarcation of our territory. In fact it increased it. Under the old law
amended by RA 9522 (RA 3046), we adhered with the rectangular lines enclosing the Philippines. The
area that it covered was 440,994 square nautical miles (sq. na. mi.). But under 9522, and with the
inclusion of the exclusive economic zone, the extent of our maritime was increased to 586,210 sq. na.
mi. (See image below for comparison)
If any, the baselines law is a notice to the international community of the scope of the maritime space
and submarine areas within which States parties exercise treaty-based rights.