Philippines marks 9 years since Hague ruling, reaffirms win against China

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

'We continue to uphold the Award because it reflects what is right and just, not just for us, but for all coastal states whose rights must be respected under international law,' says Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

MANILA, Philippines – On the ninth anniversary of the landmark South China Sea arbitration ruling, the Philippines on Saturday, July 12, reaffirmed its commitment to making the legal victory over China a cornerstone of its maritime policy and its unwavering advocacy for a rules-based international order.

“Beyond marking this milestone, the Philippines continues to honor this Arbitral Award by its commitment to both enhancing public awareness of maritime entitlements and other rights and obligations under the UNCLOS and leveraging more partnerships with like-minded countries in upholding the rule of law,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

The DFA also noted that the arbitral award has set a precedent in contemporary territorial disputes, having been cited by both the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the International Court of Justice in their rulings, further reinforcing the legitimacy and finality of the 2016 decision.

“It is an illuminating precedent for States facing similarly challenging circumstances in the seas, and the clearest of reminders to the international community that the rule of law can be the great equalizer between and among nations and serve as the bedrock of peace and stability for the international community,” the DFA said.

On Friday, July 11, DFA Secretary Tess Lazaro criticized China for its “revisionist, self-serving interpretation and application of international law.”

“Nine years hence, its legitimacy continues to be tested, challenged, and subverted, putting not only the Philippines’ maritime interests in peril but also the regional stability and prosperity we are all working so hard to achieve,” Lazaro said.

The 2016 Arbitral Award stemmed from Manila’s 2013 case against China, filed after the 2012 Scarborough Shoal standoff. The ruling upheld the Philippines’ rights within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea and invalidated China’s sweeping historical claims. Despite being a United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS signatory, China continues to reject the ruling.

The Department of National Defense (DND) joined Filipinos in commemorating the historic win against China, saying that more than recognizing it as a cornerstone of foreign and security policy, it should also be viewed as an “irreducible truth.”

“We continue to uphold the Award because it reflects what is right and just, not just for us, but for all coastal states whose rights must be respected under international law. No amount of pressure, reinterpretation, or power plays can erase that truth,” DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr said.

“Let it be abundantly clear: defending our sovereign rights and jurisdiction is not an act of provocation. It is the sacred and fundamental duty of the Republic — an expression of our responsibility to our nation, to the Filipino people, and to the countless generations of Filipinos who will inherit this sacred trust,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said the legal triumph was also a “reaffirmation of the strength of international law and the enduring pursuit of peace, justice, and a rules-based order in our region.”

“It remains a moral and legal compass, guiding our actions in the defense of national sovereignty,” it added.

The territorial dispute between Manila and Beijing over the West Philippine Sea is one of the few issues that unites Filipinos across political lines, with many believing the country should assert its rights in the contested waters.

According to a recent Pulse Asia survey done in June, majority of Filipinos or 73% of Filipino respondents “agree with the view” that the Marcos administration should continue to assert the country’s rights in the West Philippines Sea.

– Rappler.com