West PH Sea: PH must counter China’s high seas claims by December—Carpio

Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has urged the Philippines to formally object to China's claims over high seas in the South China Sea under the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. Carpio stated that the Philippines has until December 2026 to file a counterdeclaration, a move he believes is crucial to prevent the legal principle of acquiescence, where inaction can be interpreted as acceptance of a claim. China ratified the BBNJ treaty in December 2025 with a declaration asserting sovereign rights in international waters, a move that has not yet been formally protested by any state. Carpio warned that failing to act could lead to the Philippines losing maritime territory larger than its own landmass.

This situation highlights a critical legal deadline for the Philippines to safeguard its maritime entitlements against potentially expansive foreign claims in international waters.