Supreme Court Senior Associate
Justice Antonio Carpio slams President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s pronouncement
regarding the West Philippine Sea situation were we are also claimant.
Carpio reiterates that China is
not in possession of the West Philippine Sea.
 |
| Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio (photo credit to owner) |
In a statement, Carpio said
China is only in possession of seven features in the Spratlys, Scarborough
Shoal, and Sandy Cay.
"The total area of these
geologic features, including their territorial seas (if any), is less than 7
percent of the WPS," he explained.
"Foreign naval powers (US,
UK, France, Australia, Japan, and Canada) continuously sail and conduct naval
drills in the South China Sea, including the WPS, demonstrating that China is
not in possession of the WPS," the SC Justice added.
Justice Carpio also said the
fishing boats used by the Chinese do not qualify for traditional fishing, which
he explained only applies "in the territorial sea and archipelagic
waters."
"There is no traditional
fishing in the EEZ. This very clear in the arbitral award of 12 July 2016. Reed
Bank is part of Philippine EEZ. There can be no traditional fishing in Reed
Bank," he explained.
"Traditional fishing is
artisanal fishing using small, simple fishing boats like the wooden boats, with
outriggers, of Filipino fishermen. The Chinese steel-hulled trawlers cannot
qualify for traditional fishing," Carpio added.
President Duterte, said during
his State of the Nation Address (SONA) that his administration would stand up
for the Philippines’ rights in the West Philippine Sea in “due time,” as his
dealings with Beijing came under close scrutiny in light of rising maritime
tensions.
Share us your thoughts by simply
leaving on the comment section below. For more news updates, feel free to visit
our site often.
Stay updated with today's relevant
news and trends by hitting the LIKE button.
Thanks for dropping by and reading
this post.
Report from ABS-CBN News
0 Comments