Retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio has stressed that war is not an option in the Philippines’ territorial dispute with China. He cited Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia as examples of countries that assert their sovereign rights against Chinese claims without resorting to arms.
Carpio’s statement came after President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), where he said the government is working to protect the country’s rights in the South China Sea. However, Carpio emphasized that there are lawful and peaceful means of asserting sovereign rights.
He also countered Duterte’s claim that China has possession of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea, citing the presence of naval powers like the US, UK, France, Australia, Japan, and Canada in the area.
Read more about this story on GMA News Online.