Former Chief Justice Antonio Carpio has consistently raised alarms about President Rodrigo Duterte’s approach to the disputed West Philippine Sea. In a recent development, Carpio expressed his concerns over the government’s decision to allow China to reclaim land in the Scarborough Shoal, known as Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc by Filipinos. This move is seen as a tacit recognition of China’s claims in the area, which has been at the center of the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China.
Carpio emphasized that the government should have taken a firmer stance against China’s aggressive actions in the region. He argued that the Philippines’ decision to allow China to reclaim land is a violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Carpio’s concerns are not unfounded, given the history of the dispute and the recent developments in the area.