WHEREAS, by
reason of their proximity the cluster of islands and islets in the
South China Sea situated within the following: chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
KALAYAAN ISLAND GROUP
From a point [on the Philippine Treaty Limits] at latitude 7º40'
North and longitude 116º00 East of Greenwich, thence due West
along the parallel of 7º40' N to its intersection with the
meridian of longitude 112º10' E, thence due north along the
meridian of 112º10' E to its intersection with the parallel of
9º00' N, thence northeastward to the intersection of parallel of
12º00' N with the meridian of longitude 114º30' E, thence,
due East along the parallel of 12º00' N to its intersection with
the meridian of 118º00' E, thence, due South along the meridian of
longitude 118º00' E to its intersection with the parallel of
10º00' N, thence Southwestwards to the point of beginning at
7º40' N, latitude and 116º00' E longitude.
are vital to the security and economic survival of the Philippines;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, much of the above area is part of the continental margin of
the Philippine archipelago;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, these areas do not legally belong to any state or nation but,
by reason of history, indispensable need, and effective occupation and
control established in accordance with the international law, such
areas must now deemed to belong and subject to the sovereignty of the
Philippines;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, while other states have laid claims to some of these areas,
their claims have lapsed by abandonment and can not prevail over that
of the Philippines on legal, historical, and equitable grounds.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines,
by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution, do hereby
decree as follows:cralaw:red
Section 1. The area within the following
boundaries: chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
KALAYAAN ISLAND GROUP
From a point [on the Philippine Treaty Limits] at latitude 7º40'
North and longitude 116º00' East of Greenwich, thence due West
along the parallel of 7º40' N to its intersection with the
meridian of longitude 112º10' E, thence due north along the
meridian of 112º10' E to its intersection with the parallel of
9º00' N, thence northeastward to the intersection of parallel of
12º00' N with the meridian of longitude 114º30' E, thence,
due East along the parallel of 12º00' N to its intersection with
the meridian of 118º00' E, thence, due South along the meridian of
longitude 118º00' E to its intersection with the parallel of
10º00' N, thence Southwestwards to the point of beginning at
7º40' N, latitude and 116º00' E longitude;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
including the sea-bed, sub-soil, continental margin andr space shall
belong and be subject to the sovereignty of the Philippines. Such area
is hereby constituted as a distinct and separate municipality of the
Province of Palawan and shall be known as "Kalayaan."
Section 2. Pending the election of its regular
officials and during the period of emergency declared in Proclamation
No. 1081, and unless earlier provided by law, the administration and
government of the area shall be vested in the Secretary of National
Defense or in such officers of the Civil government or the Armed Forces
of the Philippines as the President may designate.
Section 3. This Decree shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila,
this 11th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
seventy-eight.
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