Former Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has been a vocal advocate for the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. In a recent interview, he shared his insights on how the country can better assert its claims amidst continued Chinese aggression.
Carpio emphasized the importance of basing the country’s strategy on international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He highlighted the need for the Philippines to strengthen its diplomatic efforts and build alliances with other countries in the region to counter China’s assertive behavior.
According to Carpio, the Philippines must also focus on developing its maritime capabilities, including its coast guard and navy, to effectively protect its interests in the West Philippine Sea. He stressed that this requires a long-term commitment to building a strong and capable military, as well as investing in education and research to improve the country’s understanding of the sea and its resources.