The Philippine government must do more civilian activities in the West Philippine Sea and hold China accountable if it impedes the country’s legal operations in its own waters.

Former Supreme Court (SC) associate justice Antonio Carpio made the suggestion at the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel, where he said doing so would further assert the Philippines’ rights over the waters still being claimed by China to be its own.

Then, if China would commit act of aggression to prevent the Philippines from conducting lawful activities, he said, Manila should seek assistance from the international community to uphold international law.

"So if we shift the activity to a civilian and China stops our resupply, then we have to go to tribunal," he said, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Currently, resupply missions to the grounded military vessel in the Ayungin Shoal are being impeded by China most of the time.

Although led by civilian ships and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the move cannot be used by the Philippines as a case against China because it is still tagged as a military activity.

So, Carpio proposed building a light tower in the West Philippine Sea that will be manned by coast guard personnel and marine scientists from the Philippines.

More Filipino civilian ships may also participate in joint patrols between the Philippines and allied nations, including the US, he added.

The tribunal's eventual decision on such a scenario, which would probably rule against China's prevention of civilian activities, would put the Philippines in a better position with regards to its rights over the West Philippine Sea.

Carpio also suggested that the Philippines, China and Vietnam must have an agreement on fishing rights and activities in the Scarborough Shoal.

Then, if Beijing would refuse to set ground rules, then another tribunal case must be filed against them, he added.