The document discusses the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as a significant maritime area within the South China Sea (SCS) and outlines its historical context, territorial disputes, and importance for the Philippines. It details the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), which is rich in resources and has been a site of occupation and conflict involving multiple countries. Key issues include the ongoing territorial disputes, security concerns linked to military presence, and the potential for oil and gas exploration hampered by governance and bureaucratic challenges.

1.  UNCLOS – United Nation Convention
on the Law of the Sea
 KIG – Kalayaan Island Group
 WPS – West Philippine Sea
 SCS – South China Sea
Definition of Terms

2.  The WPS is a part of the SCS that is
closest to the Philippines.
 On Sept. 12 2012, Pres. Aquino III issued
the Administrative Order No. 29, with
Section 1 stating,
“ maritime areas on the west side of
the PHL archipelago are hereby
named as the West Philippine Sea”
The West Philippine Sea

3.  The South China Sea is much broader
expanse of water often describe as a semi-
enclosed sea, bounded by
 China/Taiwan(north),
 PHL(east),
 Viet Nam, Malaysia, Singapore &
Brunei(west)
 Indonesia(south)
The South China Sea

5.  Composed of 50 island
 Incorporated as a municipality of
Palawan in 1978 through the
Presidential Decree No. 1596
Kalayaan Island Group

6.  9 islands are currently occupied by the
Philippine military and civilians ( Lawak
Is; Kota Is; Likas Is; Pag-asa Is; Parola Is;
Panata Is; Patag Is: Rizal Reef and
Ayungin Shoal)
Kalayaan Island Group

8.  Territorial integrity and security
 Food security
 Energy security
 Vital sea lanes of communication
 Economic welfare
Kalayaan Island Group:
Its’ Importance

10.  West Palawan (mid-1960)
 Service Contract System (1973)
 Nido- 1 (1st commercial oil exploration in
1976)
Kalayaan Island Group:
Oil and Gas Exploration

11.  Other discoveries are Cadlao, West
Linapacan, Matinloc, Malampaya(country’s
1st petroleum production facility) and Recto
Bank
Kalayaan Island Group:
Oil and Gas Exploration

13.  Lack of investment
 Poor access to technology
 Bureaucratic Red Tape
 Tensions over the unresolved territorial
and maritime disputes
 Governance
Philippines’ hinders for more
petroleum exploration

14.  Phosphates
 Guano
 Magnesium
 Cobalt
 Nickel
 Molybdenum
 many others
(also in the North Palawan coastal areas)
Kalayaan Island Group:
Mineral- Rich islands

15.  People’s Republic of China ( 7 occupied
islands)
 Taiwan ( 1 occupied island)
 Vietnam (22 occupied islands)
The Territorial Disputes in the
West Philippine Sea

16.  The Philippines ( 9 occupied islands)
 Brunei Darussalam (none)
 Malaysia ( 5 occupied islands)
The Territorial Disputes in the
West Philippine Sea

19.  Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs)
 United States of America’s military
activities
The Territorial Disputes in the
West Philippine Sea

21.  1933, Isabelo de los Reyes proposed the
inclusion of 9 biggest island as a part of
the transition.
History and Development

22.  1937, Interior Sec. Elpidio Quirino filed a
claim on the Philippines’ behalf citing
national defense and geographical
proximity as grounds
History and Development

23.  1946, Foreign affairs Sec. Quirino send a
letter to Gen Douglas McArthur stressing
the PHLs’ interest to KIG
History and Development

24.  1947, Quirino’s successor, Carlos P. Garcia,
demanded that the features be turned over
to the Government
History and Development

25.  1948, Tomas Cloma claimed to have found
the islands unoccupied.
History and Development

26.  1956, Cloma led a 38-day expedition
to KIG.
 1968, Philippines started sending
military troops
History and Development

27. 1971, Pres. Ferdinand Marcos
announced the occupation on
several islands for national security
and to protect the interest of the
state and it’s citizen
History and Development

28. Economic Concerns
Security Concerns
Kalayaan Island Group
during Marcos Administration

29.  1970, Philippine posted troops on Lawak
Island
 1971, Philippine occupied, Kota,Likas,
Pag-asa and Parola
Start of Occupation on KIG

30.  In Pag-asa Is., established weather
station (1979), fishery research unit and
laboratory, runway for logistic support
aircraft, air force unit, naval station and
lighthouse (1993)
Start of Occupation on KIG

32.  Early 1995, China’s occupation on Panganiban
(Mischief) Reef send tension to Manila and
Beijing
Philippines’ battle for territory

33.  May 1995, a standoff happened between
Philippine Navy ship and two Chinese fishing
vessels back-up by a PLA-Navy Frigates
Philippines’ battle for territory

34.  March 2011, Philippine petroleum exploration
vessel was harassed by two Chinese vessel
Philippines’ battle for territory

35.  Signed on August 1995, to relieve the tension
between the two countries
 1998, China’s ‘Fisherman’s Shelters’ turned to a
‘Fortified military garrison’
 Action resulted to renewed security ties to US
military
Joint statement on the South China
Sea and Other Area of Cooperation

39.  Philippine Navy’s BRP Sierra Madre stationed
on Ayungin Shoal
 protest against increased Chinese presence
near Ayungin Shoal in March 2013
Recent Government Action

40. BRP Sierra Madre

43. Thank you!!!

44.  1968, Economic Commission for Asia and the
Far East reported that the South China Sea’s
continental shelf may contain oil and gas
deposits
 Claimants unilaterally drawn maritime
boundaries which is overlapping
 Claimants also deployed troops on various
maritime features
Economic Concerns

45.  Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia began
offshore exploration for petroleum reserves
 1976, after 80 years, oil was discovered in the
offshore Northwest Palawan.
Economic Concerns

46. 1971, Taiwan troops on Ligaw (Itu Aba/
Taiping) island reported to have fired on a boat
carrying Philippine Congressman Ramon Mitra
Security Concerns