'Iisang Dagat' video connected to China's claims in West Philippine Sea -Carpio

Retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio said on Monday that the Chinese Embassy's controversial music video must be seen in light of the maritime disputes concerning the West Philippine Sea.

Titled "Iisang Dagat," the video showed the help that the Philippines received from the government of China in response to the COVID-19 threat.

According to Camarines Sur Vice Governor Imelda Papin, one of the artists who performed in the music video, the song's message was only that of helping each other amid the health crisis.

READ: Imelda Papin on singing Iisang Dagat for Chinese embassy in Manila: I am no traitor

Carpio, however, is more wary and said that China is taking advantage of the pandemic situation.

"You have to connect that [video] with their official position that they own the South China Sea," he said in Jun Veneracion's report for "24 Oras."

The music video was released one day after the Department of Foreign Affairs filed a diplomatic protest over the incident involving a Philippine Navy vessel and Chinese warship.

The commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (Wescom) confirmed that the Chinese ship pointed a radar gun at the Navy vessel in February.

"It's a hostile act under the rules of naval engagement. Because it's just one step away from firing," Carpio said. "Navies really do not do that unless you want to bully another country."

The retired justice suggested holding joint patrols with Vietnam and Malaysia in the disputed waters.

"I think we have to join forces now because this will continue to escalate. And it's very unfortunate that China is doing this during this pandemic," he said.

The music video, meanwhile, drew flak online and angered many Filipino netizens. As of writing, it has over 161,000 "dislikes" and only around 2,400 "likes" on YouTube.

"You can just see that it has boomeranged on China," Carpio said. —MGP, GMA News