MANILA, Philippines —Retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said Wednesday the donation of COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines could be the Chinese government’s way of “softening the impact” of its encroachment into Philippine territorial waters.
He made the remark after the reported presence of 220 Chinese vessels believed to be “manned by Chinese maritime militia” at the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea.
“It is possible that China is encroaching on our maritime zones but softening it by sending us vaccines, by donating to us vaccines,” Carpio said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel.
“It’s part of their PR (public relations) effort …
Keep on reading: China donated vaccines to ‘soften blow’ of encroachment into PH waters — Carpio