Carpio hits gov’t inaction on sea dispute with China

MANILA, Philippines  – Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Wednesday night said the government could file additional cases amid the continuing issues in the West Philippine Sea between the Philippines and China.

“What we could do is keep on protesting, we could file other cases, we can enter into sea boundary agreements with Vietnam with Malaysia,” Carpio said at the fellowship meeting of the Philippine Bar Association in Makati City.

The government, however, has yet to do any of the said options, said Carpio.

“But the problem is the government has not even started to do any of these things. So we cannot say that it has not resulted in anything. Because government has not done anything,” Carpio said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday said he “fired off” a diplomatic protest amid recent reports of numerous Chinese vessels spotted off Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.

READ: Philippines ‘fires off’ diplomatic protest over Chinese vessels circling Pag-asa Island

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said that in July, some 113 Chinese vessels were spotted roaming near Pag-asa.

“Napakaraming Chinese fishing vessels doon, ang bagong record February…dumating sila umabot sila ng 61. Noong July 24 umabot sila ng 113, ‘yun ang aming tinitignan and I have recommended filing diplomatic action in regards to that,” Esperon said. /gsg

READ: Diplomatic protest sought vs Chinese vessels circling Pag-asa Island