Justice Carpio explains why the Philippines’ territorial claim in the South China Sea is confined to the Kalayaan Island Group and criticizes legislative proposals that seek to expand claims to the wider Spratly Islands in ways inconsistent with international law.
Justice Carpio explains the importance of the 1734 Murillo Velarde map as the first scientific map of the Philippine archipelago that illustrates features like Scarborough Shoal and Spratlys as part of the nation and supports sovereign maritime claims.