Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea, emphasizing the rule of law as the cornerstone of the country’s maritime and security policy.

This year marks the ninth anniversary of the landmark 2016 ruling by the Hague tribunal.

The award from the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague upheld the Philippines’ sovereignty over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf in the West Philippine Sea — rights that Beijing continues to ignore as it asserts sweeping claims over nearly the entire South China Sea (SCS).

“On this ninth anniversary of the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling on the South China Sea, we are reminded of something simple yet powerful: the rule of law matters,” Teodoro said.

“For countries like the Philippines, an archipelagic nation whose very existence is intertwined with the maritime domain, respect for international law is not just a principle. It is a lifeline,” he added.

Teodoro described the ruling not merely as a legal victory, but as a “resounding declaration” that the conduct of nations must be guided by international law — not by coercion or power plays.

"The Arbitral Award, which clearly affirmed our sovereign rights over our exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the West Philippine Sea, is not merely a legal pronouncement. It is a resounding declaration that the only legitimate guide for the conduct of nations is the rule of law — never the imposition of might,” he said.

Teodoro emphasized that upholding the award is not an act of aggression, but a sovereign duty rooted in justice and accountability.

“Let it be abundantly clear: defending our sovereign rights and jurisdiction is not an act of provocation. It is the sacred and fundamental duty of the Republic — an expression of our responsibility to our nation, to the Filipino people, and to the countless generations of Filipinos who will inherit this sacred trust,” said Teodoro.

Issued on 12 July 2016, the arbitral ruling invalidated China’s expansive “10-dash line” claim over most of the SCS. It also upheld the Philippines’ maritime entitlements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Despite China’s continued rejection of the ruling, the Philippines has consistently maintained its legal and diplomatic position, backed by growing international support.

Teodoro reaffirmed the Philippines’ dedication to peace, international law, and principled engagement with other nations.

“The Philippines, a nation committed to peace and principled engagement, views this Award not just as a cornerstone of our foreign and security policy, but as an irreducible truth,” he stressed.

“We continue to uphold the Award because it reflects what is right and just — not just for us, but for all coastal states whose rights must be respected under international law. No amount of pressure, reinterpretation, or power plays can erase that truth,” he added.