Iba't ibang issue sa West Philippine Sea, mula sa pagharang ng China sa mga resupply mission, panggigipit sa mga mangingisda at sa patuloy na pag-angkin ng China sa pinag-aagawang teritoryo.
Ayon kay Retired Justice Antonio Carpio, dapat mas paigtingin ng Pilipinas ang pag-angkin sa West Philippine Sea alinsunod sa 2016 Hague ruling. Panahon na rin daw para simulan ang pag-survey sa Reed Bank na bahagi ng exclusive economic zone ng Pilipinas. Posible itong maging bagong source ng oil at gas at maiwasan ang pag-angkat ng mas mahal na liquified natural gas na makaapekto raw sa presyo ng kuryente. Pero hindi marating ang Reed Bank dahil sa patuloy na pagharang ng China.
Ang iba pang implikasyon at epekto ng patuloy na pag-angkin ng China sa West Philippine Sea, sasagutin ni Retired Justice Antonio Carpio sa #TheMangahasInterviews.
Ayon kay Retired Justice Antonio Carpio, dapat mas paigtingin ng Pilipinas ang pag-angkin sa West Philippine Sea alinsunod sa 2016 Hague ruling. Panahon na rin daw para simulan ang pag-survey sa Reed Bank na bahagi ng exclusive economic zone ng Pilipinas. Posible itong maging bagong source ng oil at gas at maiwasan ang pag-angkat ng mas mahal na liquified natural gas na makaapekto raw sa presyo ng kuryente. Pero hindi marating ang Reed Bank dahil sa patuloy na pagharang ng China.
Ang iba pang implikasyon at epekto ng patuloy na pag-angkin ng China sa West Philippine Sea, sasagutin ni Retired Justice Antonio Carpio sa #TheMangahasInterviews.
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NewsTranscript
00:00 [Music]
00:05 You are here at Damangahas Interviews.
00:07 Today we will talk about the forgotten and many layered issues of the West Philippine Sea.
00:15 We are honored to have with us Justice Antonio Tirol Carpio,
00:20 the best Supreme Court Justice we could or should have had.
00:24 Good morning, Justice Carpio.
00:26 Good morning to all our viewers.
00:29 Justice Carpio is one of the youngest appointed to the Supreme Court.
00:35 By 2001 to 2019, he served there for 18 years.
00:40 But background, he became the editor of The Guide in Ateneo.
00:45 He became the managing editor of Philippine Collegian,
00:47 one of the best pens that the High Court probably had.
00:50 He made over 800 decisions and helped launch the Supreme Court e-Library.
00:57 Good morning Justice Carpio.
00:59 We will talk about the West Philippine Sea, one of your favorite and most important issues.
01:07 Please explain, what are the issues, layer by layer, from fisheries, energy, defense, security, etc.?
01:17 The most important issue for us is that we need to get gas from the Reed Bank.
01:24 Because our gas in Malampaya is running out.
01:28 Maybe in two years, we will run out of gas.
01:31 Malampaya supplies 40 percent of the energy of Luzon.
01:36 If Malampaya is gone, we will have 12 to 14 hours daily burnout in Luzon.
01:42 That's devastating to our economy.
01:46 That's our biggest problem because if there's no energy, everything will stop.
01:56 Factories will close, offices cannot maintain regular hours.
02:02 We cannot even work from home because there's no power and no zoom.
02:07 So I think this is critical.
02:11 During the time of President Duterte, the Reed Bank should have been developed because we know that Malampaya's gas will run out.
02:19 He doesn't want to displace President Xi. His policy is appeasement.
02:26 He thought that his term is not over yet and there's gas. That's the problem of the next president.
02:34 So when President Bongbong took over, he went to Beijing last January.
02:43 But I think what he told President Xi is that he needs to get gas from the Reed Bank because if he doesn't get it, the economy will collapse and I will be very unpopular.
02:59 For him, it's really political survival.
03:06 When he came back here, he said we will conduct joint patrols with the U.S.
03:15 That means President Xi said no.
03:19 Before he left, I asked the people in his office, what will you do? I know that's the number one problem.
03:33 They said, President Xi will talk to the President that we need gas.
03:42 President Xi said no. What will you do? We will go to the Americans. That's exactly what happened. That's my analysis. That's my assessment.
03:52 The most important thing for the survival of the nation is to get gas.
03:59 If we cannot get gas, we will import LNG, liquefied natural gas. It's very expensive now because Europe is buying everywhere else.
04:09 Natural gas is not being bought in Russia because of the Ukrainian war.
04:13 The price of LNG is increasing now because LNG is natural gas.
04:21 But to transport it, you need to convert it to liquid, not liquefied natural gas. That requires energy to convert it to liquid.
04:30 So you will store it in a ship to transport. When it arrives here in Batangas, you will store it underground.
04:39 If it's necessary, you will regasify it. You need energy again to convert it back to gas so you can feed it to gas-fired plant because gas-fired plant is natural gas.
04:51 LNG is really expensive. Imagine if our power is increasing, it's inflationary.
05:01 Now inflation is high. The energy cost is not yet accounted for. That's the number one problem.
05:14 The next problem is of course our fishermen. That's the problem. According to UP, West Philippine Sea accounts for 20 to 30 percent of our fish catch annually.
05:28 If we remove that, the price of LNG will increase.
05:32 China got the LNG because China is the biggest fishing fleet in the world. When Duterte allowed China to fish in the West Philippines,
05:44 with the biggest fishing fleet, that's why the fish catch of our fishermen fell. They are rising.
05:54 What the Duterte administration did is import the LNG from China. The LNG that China got from the West Philippine Sea, we are buying it.
06:04 That's ours. We are really double-buckled.
06:09 The problem with fishing, we go back to the arbitral tribunal and demand damages from China.
06:21 We will quantify it. We will be helped by the UP Marine Science Institute on how much is lost from our fish and we demand damages.
06:34 Of course, I think China will not also participate because of their policy. They will not participate.
06:41 If that happens, we will win again and we will get an award. Let's say we got an award of 100 million dollars.
06:50 What will we do with the 100 million dollars? China doesn't want to buy. We will offset that against the loan because we have a loan from China,
06:58 from Chico Dam. We will offset that. We have a way of getting paid for the damages. That's my analysis now.
07:11 It's clear from the research on that issue, energy and fisheries are the most important stakes of the Philippines on this issue.
07:24 But the image that is coming out, the Chinese bullying our Coast Guard, their stoppage of the supplies mission in Panatangshol.
07:35 What can we do because it seems like it's coming out that for the here and now, defense or security issue, fighting in the sea.
07:44 Well, the solution to that is we have to have a joint patrol. To go to Ridbong to get the gas, our survey ship of China,
08:01 Chinese Coast Guard will go to the coast to get the gas. Our Navy must be with us together with the joint patrol with the U.S.
08:11 That's the solution of Malaysia. Malaysia needs to develop a new oil and gas field. They're under pressure because their economy depends on oil and gas exports.
08:25 So they develop new gas fields. China said it's not possible because that's within the nine-dash line.
08:31 Malaysia continued. They sent their survey and drilling ship together with their Navy. At the same time, the U.S. and Australian warships conducted naval drills in the same area.
08:43 The Chinese Coast Guard couldn't do anything after Malaysia. Malaysia was able to succeed, successfully surveyed and drilled.
08:54 That's what happened in Indonesia. Indonesia said they will send their survey ship and drilling ship to Natuna. China said it's not possible because that's within the nine-dash line.
09:07 Indonesia continued. They sent their survey ship and drilling ship together with their Navy. At the same time, the U.S. aircraft carrier passed through.
09:18 The Chinese Coast Guard couldn't do anything. So there's a template on how to successfully survey and drill. That's why the President, when he returned,
09:30 he said we will adjoin patrols. That's the meaning of it.
09:34 Okay. All right.
09:36 It will be popular if he can't get the gas. They will fall. You can just imagine the inflation.
09:46 So what we will do is to join patrols. If we want to resupply Ayungin Shoal, BRP Sierra Madre, we can join patrols there.
09:58 The U.S. is open because Ayungin Shoal is an exclusive economic zone. The tribunal said that's an exclusive economic zone.
10:09 So foreign warships can pass through because there's freedom of navigation in the exclusive economic zone.
10:18 All right. Even if China fell, we will clarify that Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam are claimant countries just like the Philippines.
10:26 But they did what they wanted to do, which is to have a strong and decisive.
10:32 The Philippines, where did it lack? Why did it seem like we were left alone?
10:37 Well, during the time of President Duterte, he said I love President Xi. Of course, he's not in love with President Xi.
10:47 So he didn't want to displace. He said that's not a problem because he can finish his term.
10:54 Now the problem is that President Bongbong Marcos fell. He can finish his term because he will be hit.
11:05 That's the reason why I think there is this pivot to the U.S.
11:09 We will be pushed by China. They will get the gas.
11:15 President Xi rose to power because of his claim to fame that he expanded the territory of China in the South China Sea.
11:25 That's what he said in the People's Congress. I'm the author of the Chinese expansion in the South China Sea.
11:34 He cannot step back.
11:37 But for now, Justice Carpio, our problem is the pivot to China under President Duterte.
11:46 Now it's like a pivot to the U.S. under President Bongbong Marcos.
11:50 But recently, someone went to China and met with Xi Jinping, President Duterte.
11:56 On the other hand, our diplomatic initiatives are like welcome everyone who can help us patrol the West Philippine Sea.
12:04 So how is that? Is there a play of mirrors here? Is Duterte still in love with Xi Jinping and vice versa?
12:11 President Duterte is still using China. I don't know why he's using China.
12:19 When he was president, he said he's not afraid because he will be protected by China.
12:30 That's what he said. I don't know why he has a grudge against President Xi Jinping.
12:36 But that's a fact. Thankfully, he's not in power anymore. He's not the president.
12:43 So our foreign policy is more rational now. We are thinking of national interest now.
12:50 Our national interest is really to get the gas in Rilang.
12:54 Because our economy will suffer a terrible blow if we cannot get the gas.
13:01 Inflation will be so high. Food prices will increase.
13:07 All of that. Energy is not enough. You need energy, transportation. You need energy.
13:13 President Duterte and President Bongbong Marcos were promised hundreds of millions of dollars in investments, project loans, grants and aid.
13:23 How is that? This is like a sweetener, China's soft power initiative. How could you say no to big amounts of money?
13:31 Well we should learn the lesson. China said we have 25 billion for President Duterte, loans and investments.
13:40 Nothing came, less than five percent. He's just a liar. In the meantime, you allowed China to fish in the West Philippine Sea.
13:48 But he didn't get anything. He's just a liar.
13:53 China is having a hard time because they have unemployment. Unemployment is high now. Their export is declining.
14:00 Their Belt and Road Initiative has many bankrotes from their borrowers along the way.
14:09 So I doubt if they will ever give us anything. They will just promise because promise is cheap. But to deliver the loan, that's heavy.
14:19 Do you agree? I know there's a pending case on joint exploration in the RIB bank.
14:25 Duterte allowed it but now he's questioning it. What is the status and your opinion on that? Should there be joint exploration with China?
14:34 Well, the Supreme Court has a decision. The Supreme Court said JMSU is unconstitutional because it's our exclusive economic zone.
14:45 According to the law, it is the use and enjoyment of our exclusive economic zone is reserved exclusively for Filipino citizens.
14:55 What can be done, like now in the RIB bank in Malampaya, they can become contractors. That's why I agreed with the MOU that China can enter like a shell, like a chevron,
15:12 like a contractor. If they are contractors, we will pay them to render services, to get the gas and we will pay them in kind.
15:23 We will give them 20 percent of the gas to pay for their services. But they are just service contractors. I said service contract is okay.
15:36 In every service contract, the first way is the whereas clause, whereas the oil and gas belong to the Philippines.
15:43 After we signed the MOU and terms of reference, China said wait, can we remove that phrase whereas the oil and gas belong to the Philippines.
15:53 Of course, we cannot remove it. That's a requirement of the Constitution. If you remove it, it's like you're returning the arbitral award.
16:02 So it broke down because of that. In every service contract, it's stated that the Philippine law will govern the contract.
16:11 China doesn't want that. So China said to remove the two provisions that the oil and gas belong to the Philippines and the Philippine law will govern.
16:20 They want to remove it. Secretary Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it's unconstitutional. So he terminated it. That's right. I agree with what he did.
16:30 All right. Now our problem is that China doesn't want to listen. The position is a bit harsh that it's taking.
16:40 In the meantime, our joint military drills with the US, Australia, Japan, it seems that China is more concerned.
16:49 What is your sense on this? Is there a shadow play on the West Philippine Sea? Can this become a regional security problem?
16:58 Well, the most important thing is, because it's an exclusive economic zone, the most important thing is to get the economic benefit.
17:10 If we get the gas, China will not recognize the arbitral award. China can say that it's theirs. As long as we get the gas, we will win.
17:20 That is the situation of Malaysia. Malaysia, even if China doesn't recognize that it's their area, but they got the gas, so they will be quiet.
17:31 The same is the case with Indonesia. So the bottom line is, if we get the gas from the REIT Bank, even if China says it's illegal and lawful,
17:43 it's okay because that's the bottom line. It's an exclusive economic zone. As long as we get the economic benefit exclusively, we will win.
17:55 We don't need the consent of China to get the gas. Even if China forbids it, if we get it, we will win. That's the position of Malaysia.
18:05 We should not beg that China agrees because we have a right to get the gas. We got the position of Malaysia.
18:15 It's up to China if it's not against China. As long as we get the gas, Indonesia will do the same. That's the position of Malaysia.
18:24 But for now, let's be clear. There are more than 100 note verbals, diplomatic protests, and the summoning of China's ambassador.
18:35 What is possible that will happen? Can this escalate other than issuing note verbals or diplomatic protests?
18:43 What Duterte is saying, if we fight against China, should it escalate to that level? Should the people who live there be afraid?
18:53 Those who are surrounded in the West Philippine Sea.
18:56 We should always be careful. But the template is, look at what Malaysia did. China did nothing.
19:02 China said they will fight against us if we get the gas. Malaysia did nothing. The same thing happened in Indonesia.
19:10 China said there will be war. Nothing happened. If you're afraid, you will lose. Malaysia and China did not bully.
19:21 But now, what they're talking about is to strengthen our capability, Coast Guard, Navy, and Air Protection.
19:29 The first obligation of a state, duty of a state is to maintain a credible self-defense.
19:38 That's what Indonesia and Malaysia are doing. We should have a credible self-defense because that's the first duty of a state.
19:46 We have a mutual defense treaty with the U.S. But how can the U.S. help us if we don't help ourselves?
19:57 Because you're a partnership, you should carry your own weight. You should also develop your self-defense because you're allies.
20:07 If your ally does nothing, does not spend on self-defense, and only depends on you, that's not good.
20:16 But now, even if the confidential funds were transferred by the Office of the Vice President, or the Department of Agriculture,
20:25 to the West Philippine Sea Defense, how long will this take? The development process, the modernization of our Coast Guard, Navy capability, or even Air Force.
20:35 We have a program called Horizon sir. We're on track. It's just a little bit delayed. But we have already acquired two frigates from South Korea.
20:50 We have acquired 12 F/A-50s fighter jets from Korea. We have acquired already BrahMos anti-ship missiles from India.
21:02 We're ordering offshore patrol boats again from South Korea. It's okay. As long as we keep on improving, it's okay.
21:14 We cannot do it suddenly. The U.S. understood that. If they want, we have a program. They can see that we are serious about credible self-defense.
21:27 That's how it should be.
21:32 All right. Justice Carpio, do you see a person in command or agency in command? There are many parties from the government side who are focused on this.
21:42 What do you think should happen? Should there be a joint task force or the so-called whole of nation approach?
21:48 You see that happening with different initiatives of DFA, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Coast Guard, the Congress, and of course the Academe.
21:59 Do you think there is unity in these initiatives and should the coordination be tightened?
22:06 Well, the National Security Council is there to coordinate everything. It's under the office of the President. They coordinate. I can see coordination in the National Security Council.
22:20 There's also the National Task Force of the U.S. Philippine Sea.
22:24 Then what should we do with China's incursions, the bullying of our fishermen in the sea?
22:31 What's that?
22:36 Joint patrol with the U.S. and there are many who are joining us in joint patrol. Japan, Australia, and I think Canada is there.
22:45 Surprisingly, Indonesia expressed interest in having joint patrol.
22:51 It should be the case in Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Indonesia should have joint patrol in each other's exclusive economic zone.
23:00 It should be the case. I think that should be our target.
23:03 You know, we cannot also, in the future, if the administration in the U.S. changes and they become isolationist, they will lose interest in the South China Sea.
23:19 Right now, let's just imagine today, the U.S. will leave the South China Sea. They will not patrol.
23:27 There will be no freedom of navigation operations. The U.S., U.K., and France will leave.
23:33 Immediately, China will take over. That nine dash, ten dash line is the boundary. That becomes the national boundary.
23:41 We should plan for that day because that's possible. That's why we should have credible self-defense.
23:49 We will have joint patrols with Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam because there may be a day in the future, we don't know.
24:01 I hope it will not happen that the U.S. will say we're tired of this or China will take care of this.
24:09 Okay. Now you talk about the U.S.
24:11 We have to prepare for that day. Right now, we rely on the alliance but at the end of the day, we should be prepared to defend ourselves.
24:22 You know what happened to Ukraine. When the USSR collapsed, Ukraine inherited one third of the nuclear arms of the USSR.
24:34 It was a nuclear power. Russia, U.K., and U.S. talked to Ukraine. You don't need those nuclear arms.
24:44 You give up those nuclear arms, but we guarantee your territorial integrity. We guarantee your independence.
24:53 Ukraine believed it. Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons. Then, Russia, U.K., and U.S. signed the Budapest Memorandum guaranteeing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
25:08 A few years later, Russia invaded Ukraine. I mean you cannot rely forever on the guarantees of other nations.
25:19 You must develop your self-defense. You must have a credible self-defense. That should be embedded in our minds.
25:29 Alliances are good because that improves your defense, but you must have a credible self-defense on your own.
25:39 Justice Carpio, I know that you're so hands-on. You have more details on what's happening in the West Philippine Sea than any other Philippine official or cabinet member.
25:50 But you also know that in the next few weeks, Xi Jinping will visit the U.S. and he will hold a meeting with President Biden.
25:58 He will discuss his promises before he leaves. U.S. and China, no reason actually to be in conflict, but every reason to be united.
26:07 The world needs China and the U.S. working together. So those are his promises.
26:11 Don't you worry that there might be a BFF between China and the U.S.?
26:17 That's what I'm saying. There might come a time that the U.S. will say, well, it's China. President Xi Jinping offered to the U.S. that the Asia-Pacific is big enough for both of us.
26:33 Let's divide it. They offered that to President Obama and President Trump. Of course, they did not agree. But who knows, the next president might agree.
26:46 So we have to bear that in mind. Ultimately, to remain independent as a sovereign nation, we have to rely on ourselves.
26:57 It's good to have allies and we should have allies. But if we're not prepared on our own, our independence will be lost.
27:07 All right. It looks like we should watch out for the next events that will happen in Washington.
27:14 My question to the people is how should they think of their place, their duty and what they can do for the West Philippine Sea?
27:25 It's a bit distant to those who are not involved in energy sector issues. How can you make it clear to all the people that it's important to have a duty and can be a responsibility?
27:42 Well, every day, the price of galunggong is high. President Duterte, compared to the time he entered office to the time he left, the price of galunggong doubled.
27:54 Why? Because China depleted the price of galunggong in the West Philippine Sea. So it's important that we should protect our maritime zone, our fisheries in the West Philippine Sea.
28:06 Now, our power rates will increase every day. The Miracobil you're paying will increase because the gas in Malampaya is running out.
28:16 If we cannot get gas from the Reed Bank, it will increase. So it really affects us. This is a gut issue.
28:26 So everything is affected. Now what do you want to see happen? Faster, better, more confident position from the President and the Philippine government?
28:35 What can they do? What they're doing now is more.
28:39 Well, the most important thing before the end of the year, we should conduct a survey in the Reed Bank.
28:45 Okay.
28:46 Because if we don't conduct a survey, it takes four years to develop at the minimum, four years to develop the gas field.
28:56 We have to connect the pipeline from Reed Bank to Malampaya so we can use the existing pipeline to Batangas.
29:04 So it will take a minimum of four years. So we will be affected. That should be a priority.
29:13 What do you see could happen at the end of four years?
29:17 Are we developing a story that would be more joyful or happier for the Philippines or will it be a bit sad at the end?
29:27 Because now it's 2023, there will be an election in 2025, and again an election in 2028.
29:36 If the President changes, if he pivots, repivots, etc. will it be possible to be affected?
29:41 How would you write this story because you're very elegant and sharp-penned. What do you see will happen?
29:47 Well, I hope that by the end of the year, we should have a drill and survey in the Reed Bank.
29:56 Because if we don't do that, we will really import LNG. That means we won't be able to get it.
30:05 We have to do that. That means if we don't do that this year, there will be no political will.
30:13 And you think this government, this administration will have the political will to really push our claim over natural gas in the Reed Bank?
30:26 Well so far they have been saying the right thing. This administration has been saying the right thing and planning the right thing.
30:33 Whether they can actually pull it off, we'll just have to wait and watch.
30:37 But do you see things happening apart from the optics and the press releases and the public statements? Do you see things moving?
30:44 Is the needle moving at all?
30:47 Yes, the planning is there. The planning is there. So the implementation is there.
30:52 Now there are many exchange programs. So they're actually courting a lot of our students, academe and business sector for joint exchange programs.
31:05 Of course, that's part of their charm, offensive. We should not be fooled there.
31:11 Because like UP, it has a Confucius Institute and now it has a Confucius Institute. But one way, we cannot build a Rizal Institute in China.
31:23 It should be reciprocal. Why are we being fooled? Why can they build a Confucius Institute to distribute their propaganda, but we cannot.
31:32 We cannot tell our story in China. So it should be reciprocal. We should put that in our mind, reciprocal.
31:43 But across Southeast Asia, that's what the Confucius Institute is saying. This is the charm patrol of China.
31:50 They're mushrooming all over the place, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines of course is starting.
31:56 But there's an Association for Philippines-China understanding that the chairperson from the beginning of time is President Gloria Arroyo.
32:05 The pro-China in our country, we already know that. But they're a very small minority.
32:14 You can see in the surveys, 90 percent of the Filipinos want the ruling asserted. That's clear to us.
32:23 What kind of Filipino are you if you're willing to let China take our West Philippine Sea?
32:30 The ocean is there. It's rich in fish, oil and gas and other resources. Why are we giving it to China?
32:41 We are poor. We are lacking. If you love the Philippines, you will not give our resources to China.
32:52 Let's be clear. We have a significant Chinese-Filipino diaspora. They have become a very positive force in economy, business, culture
33:06 and even in fighting colonizers over the decades. But who are we targeting here? Is it the Chinese government or Chinese in general?
33:18 Our enemy is the Chinese government because they are... I'm not even saying that our enemy is the Chinese people in the mainland. It's really the Communist Party.
33:28 Lastly, I would like to ask why you embraced this issue because you're one of the best sources, most informed sources.
33:37 When it comes to the West Philippine Sea, you've even acquired the historical maps that are clear before the nine-dash line.
33:45 What is the issue here? Why is this what you've been working on and now you're like a cost celeb?
33:54 If you recall during the term of President Ramos, I was the chief presidential legal counsel. That's when it happened.
34:02 That year, 1995, China seized Ms. Chief Riff. That was during the time of President Ramos. I was the chief presidential legal counsel.
34:14 We thought of how to stop China. Ms. Chief Riff is part of our EEZ. At that time, China did not ratify ONCWAS in 1995.
34:26 In 1996, they ratified it. We could not sue China. So I thought, here is a country more powerful than us. We are just being pushed around. We have no enemies.
34:44 There is a law, a UN convention. We cannot use it because ONCWAS has not been ratified. So it bothered me. Is this how it is?
34:55 So I had to think of ways to, how really to strengthen our defenses legally. So that started it.
35:06 Until now, you're still stuck. Are you happier with the recent developments, more hopeful?
35:14 I'm happily surprised, pleasantly surprised that President Marcos Jr. made a turnaround. During the campaign, he looks like a pro-China.
35:26 But of course, that's why I said his political survival is at stake because he will become popular if he cannot get gas.
35:37 China is the one stopping him. He had to look for another ally to help him. So that's the politics of it.
35:45 But for me, I'm happy that that's the way it is now. He saw the light. China is that greedy actually.
35:54 The CCP, the Chinese Communist Party, President Xi Jinping, he wants to be on his own.
36:01 In the end, what are the points for improvement? Where are the positives and negative issues that we should focus on?
36:10 First of all, education. We have to educate our people on the issues of the West Philippine Sea.
36:17 Because the propaganda of China is there. There are small groups of Filipinos who are speaking for China and spreading Chinese propaganda.
36:25 So our curriculum should state already the facts of the West Philippine Sea. What is it? Why do we say that the Calayan Iron Group is ours?
36:38 Why do we say that Scarborough is ours? It should be clear to the Filipino people. We should teach them from grade school to college.
36:47 So we are united as a nation. If we are divided, we will lose if we play with China.
36:54 So we should all be prepared. Justice Carpio?
37:01 That's correct. That's correct.
37:04 All right. Thank you very much for clarifying and we will continue to focus on this until the end.
37:11 Thank you very much, Justice Antonio Tirol Carpio, the expert on the West Philippine Sea and what we should do as a nation.
37:19 Have a good day, sir. Keep safe.
37:22 Thank you, Malou. Thank you to our viewers.
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