Renowned jurist and former Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio has once again weighed in on the contentious issue of China’s presence in the West Philippine Sea, specifically around Julian Felipe Reef. In a recent interview, he offered a crucial perspective for navigating this complex situation.
In his characteristic measured tone, Justice Carpio emphasized that the Philippines should pursue legal avenues to resolve the dispute rather than resorting to military confrontation. He noted that invoking the US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty could be an option, but only as a last resort and after exhausting all diplomatic means.
With around 200 Chinese vessels currently surrounding Julian Felipe Reef, Justice Carpio’s counsel takes on added significance. His long-standing expertise on Philippine territorial claims and international law lends credence to his assertion that diplomacy should remain the primary course of action.