Spratly Islands Dispute INTRODUCTION Spratly Islands in the fourth largest oil reservoir in the world.

Country claiming the Spratly Islands: Philippines, China, Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia Chinas historical claim - nine-dash line - illegitimate

FIRST ARGUMENT * Philippines claim over the Spratly Island is in accordance to international law. Geographically speaking, the Spratly Islands is located within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines. (shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured) show illustration Supporting international law: Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982; UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) - both China and Philippines are signatories. Exclusive Economic Zone - an area of coastal water and seabed within a certain distance of a country's coastline, to which the country claims exclusive rights for fishing, drilling, and other economic activities. Google definition SECOND ARGUMENT * Only the Philippines can exercise effective control and occupation over the Spratley Islands Location wise. The only island with a civilian population is under the Philippine jurisdiction. This island is one of those composing the Spratly Islands. (Pag-asa Island - with a governing mayor) One of the traditional modes of acquisition of sovereignty over territory include discovery and occupation accompanied by effective control. The existence of a civilian population under the Philippine jurisdiction shows a clear exercise of its sovereignty. THIRD ARGUMENT * The Philippines claim over the Spratly Islands is by indispensable need. The Spratly Islands has a prosperous natural resources around it. It is believed to be a good source of marine and mineral wealth. With oil reserves estimated to amount at 28 billion barrels and natural gas reserves estimated to hold about 900 trillion cubic ft. (According to figures quoted by the US Energy Information Administration) These natural resources found in the Spratly Islands is vital to the Philippines security and economic survival.

CONCLUSION The Philippines has a legitimate claim over the Spratly Islands. Its claim is in accordance with international law, effective control and occupation, and by dire necessity.

SOURCES http://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf http://www.nytimes.com/newsgraphics/2013/10/27/south-china-sea/ http://www.eia.gov/countries/regions-topics.cfm?fips=SCS http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13748349 http://www.eia.gov/countries/regions-topics.cfm?fips=SCS