Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio advised President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to exercise caution when discussing the West Philippine Sea issue.
Carpio stated that there is no gray area in the matter, citing a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated China’s historical claims and established the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
He emphasized that Ayungin Shoal, where the recent water cannon incident occurred, is a low-tide elevation within the EEZ. As such, only the Philippines has the right to construct structures there, and China cannot stop them from doing so.
Carpio also urged Marcos to refrain from issuing statements that may confuse or comfort China, instead calling on UN member-states to condemn Beijing’s actions as a threat of force, which violates international law.
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