The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday expressed support for the declaration by Cebu City and the Municipality of Labrador, Pangasinan, designating 12 July as “West Philippine Sea Victory Day.”

In a statement, AFP Special Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad (Ret./Res.) said the military supports the initiatives of Cebu City and Labrador, Pangasinan, as they strengthen public appreciation of the Philippines’ legal victory over China’s sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea.

“The AFP stands in solidarity with the people of Cebu City and the Municipality of Labrador, Pangasinan, for their patriotic initiatives in officially declaring July 12 as ‘West Philippine Sea Victory Day,’” Trinidad said.

“By institutionalizing this historic milestone, these local government units have reinforced our country’s legal and moral triumph in the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Award. This commendable action not only honors the courage of our maritime frontliners but also ignites a deeper sense of national pride and unity among our citizens,” he added.

The two local government units formalized the declaration through separate measures. Cebu City approved a resolution declaring 12 July as “West Philippine Sea Victory Day” and urged Congress to institutionalize the observance nationwide. Labrador, Pangasinan, followed by issuing Executive Order No. 41, which designated 12 July as an annual commemoration and directed schools to hold activities highlighting the significance of the arbitral ruling.

“As protectors of our sovereignty, the AFP strongly encourages other LGUs across our archipelago to follow this nationalistic example. Let us unite as one nation in safeguarding our maritime heritage. By standing firmly together, we send a clear, unyielding message: our seas are a part of our identity, our livelihood, and our future,” Trinidad said.

With the landmark ruling approaching its 10th anniversary, the AFP encouraged more local government units to declare 12 July as “West Philippine Sea Victory Day.”

Earlier, in a statement issued on 29 June, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. also expressed support for Cebu City’s resolution.

“We laud the resolution. The 2016 Arbitral Award was indeed a victory which our country should embrace and fight to enforce. Hindi tayo magpapasiil,” Teodoro said.

In July 2016, a UN-backed arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines in its case against China over the West Philippine Sea, rejecting Beijing’s nine-dash line claim. The ruling affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

Meanwhile, the National Maritime Council (NMC) called on the country’s youth to uphold and protect the arbitral ruling.

“That may not be resolved within the current generation, making it crucial for young Filipinos to understand and defend the country’s maritime entitlements,” said NMC official Undersecretary Alexander Lopez.

Lopez likened the country’s campaign to uphold international law to a marathon rather than a sprint.

“Mahabang laban ito. Even in our lifetime, we may not see the resolution of it, but our youth, the generations following us, will inherit it. Kaya dapat maunawaan ng kabataan kung ano ang kahalagahan ng West Philippine Sea,” Lopez said.