Former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio emphasized the importance of political will in asserting the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea. In a recent interview with ANC’s Karen Davila, Justice Carpio highlighted the country’s failure to explore the Reed Bank area due to a lack of political will.
Reed Bank, located within the disputed territory, is believed to hold significant oil and gas reserves. However, despite the Philippines’ arbitral win against China in 2016, the country has yet to fully explore or exploit these resources.
Justice Carpio attributed this failure to a lack of political will, stating that the government’s actions are often driven by short-term interests rather than long-term strategic considerations. He emphasized the need for a more assertive and consistent approach in asserting the Philippines’ rights over the West Philippine Sea.
The former justice also stressed the importance of international law in resolving disputes over territorial claims. He noted that the Philippines has a strong case under international law, but the country must be willing to take a stronger stance to protect its interests.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQf7cSg82YQ&pp=ygUOYW50b25pbyBjYXJwaW8%3D