Fatal defectsMeanwhile, in Zamboanga City, retired justice Carpio continued to expose the “fatal defects” of China’s claim over islands in the West Philippine Sea with historical maps that copied British names translated into Chinese. Carpio cited historical evidence showing the Philippines’ longstanding claim over the Spratly Islands and Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal, specifically maps that predate China’s assertions by centuries. He traced China’s territorial claims through official Chinese publications issued by China under the Kuomintang. According to Carpio, China’s territorial claim traced to its official 1943 handbook stated that China’s southernmost territory extended only to Triton Island in the Paracels (Basu). At that time, China did not claim Scarborough Shoal or the Spratly Islands.

Source: Philippine Star February 06, 2026 16:03 UTC