Malacañang said on Tuesday that President Rodrigo Duterte respects Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and at the same time assured the magistrate that the current policy towards China amid maritime disputes on the West Philippine Sea (also called the South China Sea) is meant to keep the peace in the region.
During a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella defended Duterte’s administration on the China strategy, even as Carpio claimed that the President did nothing to assert the Philippine territories in the contested waters.
“The President has respect for Justice Carpio,” Abella said. “And he can assure the Justice and the people of the Philippines that the policies of this administration are not only directed at protecting the sovereignty of the republic, they’re also directed at ensuring that our nation and the region remains conflict-free,” Abella said.
Abella said Duterte’s policy on China had made substantial progress in talks with Beijing, reduced tensions, and improved economic cooperation. Abella said Duterte sees the two objectives as “complementary” and “in the best interests” of the Philippines.
“The President and his Cabinet are working with the government of all nations with legitimate interests in the South China Sea to ensure that our national interests are protected and the region remains a zone of peace,” Abella said.
“Confrontation does not serve the interests of our country and that is why we are committed to a process of engagement and negotiation that will ensure that our rights are respected and protected well into the future,” he added.
“[The] question is, is it really better to sue China?” Abella said.
On May 31, Duterte slammed Carpio for urging his administration to assert the Philippines’ claim over the West Philippine Sea, as upheld by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in its July 2016 ruling.
Duterte said Carpio, who was part of the delegation to The Hague, was the one who has done nothing to resolve the issue.