Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio shares his insights on China’s claim of promise to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. In a recent interview, Justice Carpio emphasized that any deal between the Philippines and China would be subject to the 2016 arbitral ruling, which invalidated China’s nine-dash line. He explained that even if China were to remove the BRP Sierra Madre, it would not necessarily address the underlying issues of sovereignty and jurisdiction in the disputed territory.
Justice Carpio also discussed the implications of a potential deal between the Philippines and China on the country’s maritime rights. He noted that any agreement would need to be carefully scrutinized to ensure that it does not compromise the Philippines’ sovereignty over its territorial waters. The former justice warned that the Philippines should be cautious in dealing with China, given its history of making promises that have not been fulfilled.
Justice Carpio’s comments highlight the complexities and challenges involved in resolving the maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea. As a leading expert on international law and Philippine territorial rights, his insights provide valuable context for understanding the latest developments in this sensitive issue.