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Question XI
XI. The
USS Liberty,
a warship of the United States (U.S.), entered Philippine archipelagic waters on its way to Australia. Because of the negligence of the naval officials on board, the vessel ran aground off the island of Pala wan, damaging coral reefs and other marine resources in the area. Officials of Palawan filed a suit for damages against the naval officials for their negligence, and against the U.S., based on Articles 30 and 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Article 31 provides that the Flag State shall bear international responsibility for any loss or damage to the Coastal State resulting from noncompliance by a warship with the laws and regulations of the coastal State concerning passage through the territorial sea. The U. S. Government raised the defenses that:
(a)[a] The Philippine courts cannot exercise jurisdiction over another sovereign State, including its warship and naval officials. (2.5%)
(b)[b] The United States is not a signatory to UN CLOS and thus cannot be bound by its provisions. (2.5%)
Rule on the validity of the defenses raised by the U.S., with reasons.
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