THE UNITED STATES vs.

BULL
G.R. No. L-5270. January 15, 1910
Elliot, J.
FACTS:
On December 2, 1908, a steamship vessel engaged in the transport of animals named Stanford
commanded by H.N. Bull docked in the port and city of Manila, Philippines. It was found that H.N. Bull,
while in command of said vessel from Ampieng, Formosa willfully, unlawfully, and wrongly carry,
transport, and bring into the port and city of Manila 677 heads of cattle without providing appropriate
shelter and proper suitable means for securing the animals which resulted for most of the animals to
wounded, bruised, and killed while in transit.
This cruelty to animals is said to be contrary to Acts No. 55 and No. 275 of the Philippine Constitution.
It is however contended that cases cannot be filed because neither was it said that the court sitting
where the animals were disembarked would take jurisdiction, nor did it say about ships not licensed
under Philippine laws, like the ships involved.
ISSUE:
Whether or not the court had jurisdiction over an offense committed on board a foreign ship while
inside the territorial waters of the Philippines.
HELD:
Yes. When the vessel comes within 3 miles from the headlines which embrace the entrance of Manila
Bay, the vessel is within territorial waters and thus, the laws of the Philippines shall apply. A crime
committed on board a Norwegian merchant vessel sailing to the Philippines is within the jurisdiction of
the courts of the Philippines if the illegal conditions existed during the time the ship was within the
territorial waters - regardless of the fact that the same conditions existed when the ship settled from
the foreign port and while it was on the high seas.
In light of the above restriction, the defendant was found guilty and sentenced to pay a fine of two
hundred and fifty pesos with subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency, and to pay the costs.