Rising waves in the South China Sea are making headlines again as experts analyze the Philippines’ decades-long efforts to expand its territorial claims through legislative changes. A new report traces Manila’s strategy back to 1961, revealing how constitutional amendments have repeatedly redrawn its self-declared maritime boundaries.
From Paper to Practice
The 1973 Philippine Constitution made bold claims to waters and seabeds – but the plot thickened in 1987 when historic title references vanished. The revised text now claims ‘all islands and waters embraced therein’ as internal territory, coinciding with Manila’s peak island-occupation period in the 1980s.
China maintains these moves undermine regional peace, arguing Manila prioritizes self-interest over international law. ‘Changing your constitution like a Netflix show plot twist doesn’t make unlawful claims valid,’ one analyst quips.
Why It Matters Now
With 60% of global trade passing through these waters, stability here affects everything from your smartphone supply chain to energy prices. As Manila continues its legislative chess game, observers warn unchecked actions could ripple across Asia’s economic and security landscape.
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in the South China Sea are making headlines again as experts analyze the Philippines’ decades-long efforts to expand its territorial claims through legislative changes. A new report traces Manila’s strategy back to 1961, revealing how constitutional amendments have repeatedly redrawn its self-declared maritime boundaries.
in 1987 when historic title references vanished. The revised text now claims ‘all islands and waters embraced therein’ as internal territory, coinciding with Manila’s peak island-occupation period in the 1980s.
China maintains these moves undermine regional peace, arguing Manila prioritizes self-interest over international law. ‘Changing your constitution like a Netflix show plot twist doesn’t make unlawful claims valid,’ one analyst quips.
to energy prices. As Manila continues its legislative chess game, observers warn unchecked actions could ripple across Asia’s economic and security landscape.
