Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has urged the Philippine government to take a strong stance against China’s newly established “maritime rescue center” in the West Philippine Sea. According to Carpio, this move is a clear challenge to the country’s sovereignty and territorial rights.
Carpio pointed out that China’s establishment of a maritime rescue center in the disputed waters is a thinly veiled attempt to assert its dominance over the region. He stressed that such actions are not only a threat to Philippine interests but also undermine regional stability and security.
In an effort to bolster his argument, Carpio cited historical records and international law that support the Philippines’ claim to the West Philippine Sea. He emphasized that any move to challenge these claims must be met with a unified front from the Filipino people and their government.