I'M sharing former senior associate justice Tony Carpio's response to former chief justice Reynato Puno's position paper that he submitted to the Senate. I have to agree with Justice Carpio. I'm posting verbatim what he wrote, after which my comments will follow.

'The Puno position paper submitted to the Senate discourages the Philippine Navy from sailing or conducting freedom of navigation and overflight operations (fonops) in the Philippine EEZ in the West Philippine Sea. The position paper states: 'What is the significance of the use of our military, the Philippine Navy? Having the military at the frontline increases the risk of immediate recourse to lethal force rather than peaceful means of settlement.'