MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — The Philippines on Wednesday marked 7 years since its legal victory over China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on a territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo described the country's move to take China to court as taking "the path of principle, the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes."

"An affirmation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its dispute settlement mechanisms, the Award definitively settled the status of historic rights and maritime entitlements in the South China Sea and declared without legal effect claims that exceed entitlements, geographical, and substantive limits set by UNCLOS. It is now part of international law," Manalo said.

• READ: Arbitral court's ruling on Philippines vs China

"The Award has since facilitated the plotting of new paths and trajectories, reflecting the rich maritime heritage of our country and our people, firm in the conviction that our rights over our maritime jurisdictions are indisputable," he added.

Manalo thanked the "growing number of partners" that have expressed support for the Philippines' 2016 legal victory.

He also said he hoped it would continue to serve as an inspiration for other countries involved in similar disputes to strive for both a peaceful resolution and adherence to a "rules-based international order."

"We are honored that the Award stands as a beacon whose guiding light serves all nations. It is a settled landmark and a definitive contribution to the progressive development of international law. It is ours as much as it is the world’s," Manalo said.

"We will continue to translate the positive outcomes of the Award into positive gains for our people to secure our legitimate interests in our maritime domain, and to promote peace, security and prosperity in our region," the country's top diplomat added.

REACTIONS

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command (WesCom), whose area of responsibility includes the West Philippine Sea, said that it remained "the dominant force in protecting every inch of the country’s territory and the riches in our exclusive economic zone."

"We are heartened by the solid fact that the decision is now part of international law, is recognized by the international community and has become the basis for policies and actions in the WPS," WesCom Commander Vice Adm. Alberto B. Carlos of the Philippine Navy said.

"We are one with our neighbors and allies in enforcing a rules-based order so that peace and order, freedom of navigation, trade and commerce, and the gifts of nature will continue to flourish to be enjoyed by all future generations." Carlos added.

For her part, Sen. Risa Hontiveros called on her fellow lawmakers to declare July 12 of every year as "National West Philippine Sea Victory Day."

“Commemorating our 2016 victory every year can help weaken China’s spurious claims over our own territories,” Hontiveros said.

A Senate resolution on the matter, first filed in 2021, has been refiled, Hontiveros' office said.

"Huwag nating hayaang balewalain lang ng Tsina ang kalayaan at soberanyang ipinamana sa atin ng ating mga ninuno. Kaya, kahit man lang isang beses sa bawat taon, ipagbunyi natin ang West Philippine Sea. Ipagmalaki natin ang tapang at puso ng bawat Pilipinong tumitindig sa Tsina. Ipaglaban natin ang Pilipinas," the senator added.

On July 12, 2016, the PCA in The Hague, Netherlands ruled in favor of the Philippines' claims in areas of the South China Sea that are part of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which have since been called the West Philippine Sea.

It also invalidated China's "nine-dash line", where it had sweeping territorial claims over the disputed waters that were also claimed by other Southeast Asian nations such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal backed proposals for President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to consider bringing the country's legal victory to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

"'Yung mga hakbang na ganyan, maganda yan. Importante na i-consider talaga 'yan dahil nakikita natin na ang China, nagpupumilit pa rin. Puwedeng ihain pa rin sa general assembly para tawagin ng pansin ang buong mundo dito sa mga ginagawa na ito ng China," Batongbacal said in a televised briefing.

(This is a good step. It is important to consider this because we see that China is still insisting on its claims. It could be raised at the general assembly to call international attention on what China is doing.)

But he acknowledged that resolving the issue would "take some time."

"Matagal na proseso ito dahil ito ay isang paraan para mag-generate ng international pressure at international public opinion. Kailangan talagang i-build up, kailangan talaga magkaroon ng patience diyan," he said.

(This is a long process and this is just one way to generate international pressure and international public opinion. We need to build this up and have patience.)

China has disregarded the ruling, continuing incursions in the South China Sea leading to persisting tensions in the area.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte, who had sought warmer ties with China during his administration, also dismissed the ruling, calling it a piece of "paper" that led to nothing.

Video from PTV

• Duterte calls Philippine arbitral victory vs China a piece of 'paper' that led to nothing
• ‘No arbitration’ occurred, says Duterte despite PCA ruling favoring PH

Last week, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Chinese forces blocked some of its vessels at the Ayungin Shoal during a recent support mission, while the military also reported around 50 Chinese vessels swarming Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal.

The PCG vowed to continue publicizing Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea, saying it was an effective way to deter China's aggression in the disputed waters.

• Chinese vessels block, carry out dangerous maneuvers vs PCG ships

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