Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio has once again weighed in on the issue of the West Philippine Sea, this time to clarify President Rodrigo Duterte’s seemingly conflicting statements. According to Justice Carpio, the President’s claims that China is in possession of the disputed territory are misguided and inaccurate.
In a stark contrast to the President’s stance, Manila’s top security and defense officials have expressed a different take on what was said. These officials insist that the President’s statement was taken out of context and has been misconstrued by many.
Justice Carpio’s assertion is based on his in-depth knowledge of international law and the Philippine Constitution. As a respected jurist, he has consistently advocated for the Philippines’ rights to its territorial waters and challenged the Chinese government’s claims.