Renowned jurist and former Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio has urged the Philippine government to lodge a diplomatic protest against China over its recent military planes’ incursion into the Mischief Reef. This development is seen as another contentious issue in the West Philippine Sea. According to Palace officials, however, it may be premature to file such a protest. The Philippines should take a firm stance and assert its rights under international law, particularly the 2013 Arbitral Award that invalidated China’s claims over most of the South China Sea, including parts of the West Philippine Sea. Carpio’s call for a diplomatic protest underscores his long-standing advocacy for the Philippines to assert its maritime entitlements and defend its sovereignty in the disputed waters.