Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela took to social media on Thursday morning to highlight the country’s sovereignty and rights over the disputed waters. Using the AI tool Grok on platform X, Tarriela posed a pointed question:

“Hey @grok, does PRC has [sic] a legal justification for their nine-dash line or ten-dash line in the South China Sea?”

The AI’s response reinforced the international ruling that China’s expansive claims have no legal basis. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in 2016 that the nine-dash line, which China has since expanded to a ten-dash version, is invalid under international law.

Commodore Tarriela’s post not only recalled this landmark ruling but also used humor and cutting-edge technology to engage Filipino netizens in discussions about maritime sovereignty.

International support for rule of law

Jay Tarriela and the Philippine government are not alone in underscoring the importance of an international rules-based order. Japan and Australia have reiterated their commitment to upholding UNCLOS and international law, urging respect for legal frameworks governing maritime territories. Both nations have expressed concerns over rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea and support the peaceful resolution of disputes through established legal channels.

The United States also expressed solidarity with its ally the Philippines in condemning unsafe and irresponsible actions by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) in the hotly disputed waters, following a February incident between a Chinese helicopter and a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources plane in February 2025