Manila: The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with the Philippines in safeguarding maritime security in the South China Sea (SCS) as the nation prepares to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award.

According to Philippines News Agency, during a reception hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael George DeSombre emphasized the significance of the landmark decision, which serves as the most authoritative basis for peacefully resolving disputes in the SCS. He highlighted the essential role of the Philippines-US alliance in maintaining regional stability.

DeSombre stated, "Together, we are working to safeguard maritime security in the South China Sea and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. Highlighting the importance of the Arbitral Award is a testament to our shared interests and vision for the Indo-Pacific."

The Arbitral Tribunal, constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, dismissed China's nine-dash line as illegal in this crucial maritime area on July 12, 2016. This year, the Philippines commemorates the award's 10th anniversary under the theme "A Decade Hence: The Enduring Promise of Peaceful Dispute Settlement."

During the same event, University of the Philippines (UP) Institute for Marine and Law of the Sea Director Jay Batongbacal noted the ruling's impact on the Philippines' national response to South China Sea issues. He remarked, "Our people have never been so united around a single foreign policy issue. The Arbitration has become a catalyst for national awareness and national unity, and that shows us the power of this ideal that right is might."

Charmaine Misalucha-Willoughby, an associate professor at the De La Salle University Department of International Studies, referred to the ruling as a "legal and moral victory" for the Philippines. She emphasized the importance of international law as a tool for smaller nations like the Philippines to protect and advance their national interests.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez affirmed Manila's ongoing commitment to the rule of law. He stated, "The award reminds us that international law derives its strength not from force or coercion, but from the collective resolve of nations to uphold and respect it."

The reception was also attended by Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary Hunt VanderToll and the Philippine government's former counsel during the 2016 arbitration, Paul Reichler.