Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio cautioned President Duterte on Wednesday, June 26, that allowing Chinese fishermen to fish in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is against the Constitution. Carpio cited a constitutional provision which states that “the State shall protect the nation’s marine wealth in its exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens.” Thus, Carpio pointed out that “the Philippine government cannot allow Chinese fishermen to fish in our EEZ in the West Philippine Sea.

Panaligan, R. G. (2019, June 27). Carpio disputes allowing Chinese to fish in PH's exclusive economic zone. Manila Bulletin, p. 3.