On the ninth anniversary of the landmark 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) that favored the Philippines in the maritime conflict with China, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday reiterated its firm resolve to defend the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a statement, the AFP emphasized that the ruling handed down by the Permanent Court of Arbitration on 12 July 2016 remains a “moral and legal compass” that continues to guide the military’s efforts in safeguarding the territory.

“This historic decision upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea,” the statement read.

“It remains a reaffirmation of the strength of international law and the enduring pursuit of peace, justice, and a rules-based order in our region.”

The AFP said it continues to carry out regular maritime and aerial patrols to assert and protect Philippine claims in the contested waters.

Beijing expectedly rejected the Philippines’ renewed affirmation and jubilation on the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea (SCS), reiterating its long-standing position that the decision is “illegal, null and void.”

It asserted that the PCA decision has no bearing on China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.

“China neither accepts nor recognizes the ‘award,’ and will never accept any claim or action arising from the award,” a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in an official statement released Saturday afternoon.

Unified approach

The Philippine military added that its enhanced maritime domain awareness and active coordination with other agencies and stakeholders are part of what it calls a “whole-of-nation approach” to securing the country’s maritime interests, the well-being of communities, especially Filipino fisherfolk.

“Every operation we conduct in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) reaffirms our commitment to protect what is rightfully ours,” the AFP said, underscoring its pledge to carry out its mission with professionalism, vigilance, and resolve.

“We will continue to defend our territory, uphold our sovereign rights, and promote peace — always anchored on international law and guided by the interests of the Filipino people,” it added.

The AFP also called on Filipinos to stand united in defense of the national territory.

“The WPS is not just a maritime zone but a lifeline, a legacy, and a symbol of our collective pride and resilience.”

The arbitral tribunal ruled that China’s sweeping claims to almost the entire South China Sea, based on its so-called “10-dash line,” had no legal basis.

Landmark victory

The ruling was a landmark victory for the Philippines and has been widely hailed as a triumph for international maritime law.

China, however, has continued to reject the PCA ruling and maintain its presence in contested areas.

In response, the Philippines has intensified its diplomatic and defense efforts, including strengthening security ties with regional and global allies.

As regional tensions persist, the AFP reiterated its readiness to “defend our seas, sovereignty, and the strength of our people, nation, and the generations yet to come.”

In a statement of support, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade called on the contending parties in the territorial dispute to respect the ruling on maritime rights in the South China Sea as final and binding.

Peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Constitution for the Oceans, is fundamental to regional stability.

DFA upholds commitment

Nine years after the landmark ruling invalidating China’s claims on WPS, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it will continue to uphold its commitment to defend its territory.

“It is an illuminating precedent for States facing similarly challenging circumstances in the seas, and the clearest of reminders to the international community that the rule of law can be the great equalizer between and among nations, and serve as the bedrock of peace and stability for the international community,” the DFA said in a statement.

The DFA said the Arbitral Award will continue to be “a cornerstone of Philippine maritime policy and the country’s unflinching advocacy for a rules-based order governed by international law.” Gabriela Baron

“The Filipino nation will always look to the enduring guidance of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea in asserting its rights and entitlements in its maritime domain and in protecting its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction,” it added.