One of the country’s leading authority in international laws, Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio called on the nation Thursday to make the Philippines’ territorial dispute with China an issue in next year’s national elections.
According to the revelations made by Justice Carpio, China continued to build a “triangle of military bases,” in the South China Sea. The “triangle of military bases,” include Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) off Zambales province.
The said buildup of China aims at protecting Beijing’s outlet in Bashi Channel, an important passage for military operations between Hainan, China’s southernmost territory, and Taiwan.
Justice Carpio revealed his findings during a speaking engagement to members of the Rotary Club of Manila in Makati City as he disclosed what he called a “long-term grand design” of China to enforce its claims in the hotly-disputed South China Sea.
China has reclaimed 150 hectares at Zamora Reef and turned it into a naval base with an airstrip according to the latest revelations by the Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice.
Here’s What Justice Carpio Revealed:
“They have their nuclear submarines stationed on the island (Hainan),” Carpio said, stressing the importance of the base to the protection of the Bashi Channel. He said China had strategic bombers and weapons for long-range attack.
“The range of those missiles is 7,500 kilometers,” Carpio said.
