As the Philippines continues to assert its sovereignty over disputed territories, Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has lent his weight to the country’s diplomatic protest against China. In a recent statement, Carpio emphasized that Chinese vessels should not be allowed to loiter in Philippine waters, citing concerns over national security and territorial integrity.
Carpio’s remarks come amidst a backdrop of rising tensions between Manila and Beijing. The Philippines has been protesting the presence of Chinese ships in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), with China asserting its claims under the Nine-Dash Line map. Carpio, who has been a vocal advocate for Philippine sovereignty, sees the issue as a test of the country’s resolve to protect its maritime rights.
According to Carpio, allowing Chinese vessels to remain in Philippine waters would be a tacit admission that China’s claims have merit. He stressed that the Philippines must stand firm against China’s encroachment and uphold the principles of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).