Manila: Malaca±ang has announced President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s revitalization of the Philippines' efforts to uphold the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling, which had been neglected in recent years. The administration emphasizes the consistent assertion of the country's maritime rights through diplomatic channels grounded in international law.
According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro highlighted that the arbitral award, which the Philippines secured under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 2016, was not fully leveraged by the previous administration despite its importance. She remarked on the Aquino administration's efforts to secure the ruling, contrasting it with former President Duterte's approach, which she described as dismissive.
Castro stated that the Marcos administration is actively upholding the country's maritime rights while steering clear of military confrontation. She emphasized the President's policy of defending these rights through diplomatic means, citing the government's response in September 2023 to a floating barrier installed by the China Coast Guard. President Marcos ordered its removal to ensure Filipino fishermen could access their traditional fishing grounds near Bajo de Masinloc.
Further, Castro recalled the Duterte administration's approach, which faced criticism for yielding to China's intimidation in the West Philippine Sea. She noted that during Duterte's tenure, the construction of a shelter for Filipino fishermen at Sandy Cay was halted, and Chinese vessels were allowed to patrol the area.
The Marcos administration remains steadfast in protecting the country's sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea while seeking peaceful, rules-based solutions. Castro affirmed that Filipinos should not fear asserting their rights, but clarified that this does not mean engaging in warfare. The President, she reiterated, advocates for diplomatic strategies.
The Palace statement came on the heels of the Philippines marking the 10th anniversary of the landmark July 12, 2016, arbitral award, which invalidated China's 'nine-dash line' claim over the majority of the South China Sea.
In a diplomatic reception speech last Friday, President Marcos urged Filipinos to uphold the arbitral ruling, emphasizing its impact on the livelihoods of Filipino fishermen and the country's dedication to a rules-based international order. The Philippines has since received broader international support for the ruling, with several countries reaffirming its final and legally binding status under UNCLOS.
