Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has long been a vocal advocate for the Philippines’ territorial rights in the South China Sea. Recently, he shared his insights on the contentious Sandy Cay issue with ANC’s Karen Davila. According to Carpio, Sandy Cay is unequivocally within the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea of Pag-asa Island, a fact that underscores the need for the Philippine government to assert its sovereignty over the area.
Carpio’s expertise in international law and his deep understanding of the Philippines’ constitutional provisions on territorial claims make him an authoritative voice on this matter. His advocacy is not only driven by a sense of duty but also by a commitment to upholding the country’s rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
In the conversation with Davila, Carpio emphasized the importance of asserting Philippine claims in the South China Sea, particularly in areas like Sandy Cay that are geographically and historically linked to Pag-asa Island. He also underscored the need for a unified approach among government agencies and stakeholders to protect the country’s interests.