Citing PHL Constitution, SC’s Carpio reminds Palace that China should not be allowed to fish in PHL EEZ

(Eagle News) — Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio reminded Malacanang that the Philippine government has the primary obligation to “protect the nation’s marine wealth” including those in the country’s exclusive economic zone.

He said that allowing China and other countries to fish in these waters was contrary to the Philippine Constitution.

In a statement released on Tuesday evening, Carpio, citing the Constitution, said that the country’s exclusive economic zone should be for the “exclusive” use and enjoyment of Filipino citizens.

“The Philippines has exclusive sovereign right to exploit all the fish, oil, gas and other mineral resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone. This sovereign right belongs to the Filipino people, and no government official can waive this sovereign right of the Filipino people without their consent,” Carpio said.

He also cited Article X, Section II of the Constitution.

“The State shall protect the nation’s marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens.”

He said that the Philippine Constitution defines “national territory” to include submarine areas over which the country has “sovereignty or jurisdiction.”

Carpio also stressed that the Hague ruling in 2016 had ruled with finality that the Philippines as jurisdiction over the country’s EEZ, including Recto Bank.