As tensions continue to rise in the South China Sea, retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has sounded the alarm on the presence of Chinese warships in the West Philippine Sea. According to Carpio, the deployment of missile-capable warships by China is a clear threat to international law and a challenge to the Philippines’ sovereignty.
Carpio believes that President Duterte’s administration has been too lenient in dealing with China’s aggressive actions in the region. He argues that the Philippines should take a stronger stance against China’s encroachment, including building structures within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to assert its claims.
The Justice’s warnings come as China continues to build artificial islands and deploy military assets in the South China Sea, sparking concerns among neighboring countries. Carpio’s calls for a more assertive approach by the Philippine government have been echoed by many experts and lawmakers in the country.