Manila: The 2016 arbitral ruling in the South China Sea remains "legally binding and a cornerstone of international maritime law," Malaca±ang stated on Tuesday, as China continues to disregard the Philippines' historic victory in its territorial dispute with Beijing. "Isang tagumpay po na mapaalam sa buong mundo kung ano ang ipinaglalaban natin at kung ano ang para sa Pilipinas at para sa taumbayan (It is a victory to let the whole world know what we are fighting for and what is for the Philippines and for the people)," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro declared during a press briefing.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Chinese Foreign Ministry had earlier dismissed the 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea that favored the Philippines as "nothing but a piece of waste paper that is illegal, null and void, and non-binding." The Chinese Foreign Ministry further argued that the ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) was "fundamentally flawed with obvious mistakes."
While China's stance remains unchanged, Castro emphasized that the current administration holds a different perspective. She explained that the award invalidated China's historic rights and nine-dash line claims, asserting that it is "a confirmation of the Philippines' sovereign rights within the country's exclusive economic zone." Castro highlighted that the ruling serves as a guide for the Philippines' national policy, reinforcing the country's legal and operational posture.
Castro noted that the ruling "clarified the maritime status of several features in the South China Sea and condemned the harassment of Filipino vessels and environmental destruction caused by the collapse of artificial islands." She reiterated that "the President once again will not surrender the sovereignty, the rights of the country and the people to anyone."
She also called on Filipinos to stand united in protecting the Philippine territory. "Manatili po tayong maging pro-Philippines, makabansa, makabayan. Huwag po nating tularan ang iba na not pro any country (Let us remain pro-Philippines, pro-national, patriotic. Let us not imitate others who are not pro any country)," she urged.
To safeguard the country's marine resources, President Marcos signed Republic Act (RA) 12064, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, and RA 12065, the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, on November 8, 2024. RA 12064 outlines the maritime zones under Philippine jurisdiction, while RA 12065 designates sea lanes and air routes for the continuous and expeditious passage of foreign ships and aircraft through or over the archipelagic waters and adjacent territorial sea.
