MANILA 07 October 2025 – The Philippines underscores that its sovereignty over its archipelago and other territories, including Bajo de Masinloc (BdM) and the high-tide features of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), is incontrovertible and firmly founded on international law, legal principles, effective control, and recognition through international treaties and agreements.

Some countries have been articulating an erroneous opinion that intentionally misreads certain treaties upon which the extent of Philippine territory is partly based.

It is useful to recall the statement of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. at the 21^st IISS Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore on 31 May 2024, that:

“The Treaty of Paris between Spain and the United States crystallized our islands into a cohesive whole. The Treaty of Washington clarified that the extent of our sovereignty and our patrimony transcends the lines set by international powers.”

The abovementioned treaties – along with other agreements, including the 1930 United States-Great Britain Treaty – clearly and firmly state the extent of Philippine territory as well as their meaning derived from the concrete and consistent demonstrations of sovereign authority and jurisdiction exercised by the Philippines over its territory through the centuries. The 1935, 1973 and 1987 Constitutions of the Philippines, taken together, are clear on the legal bases and extent of the Philippine national territory.

The Philippines will continue to remain vigilant against attempts to misinform the general public. It will continue to assert and preserve its territorial integrity, and strongly uphold its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in accordance with international law. END