10 years on, solon urges Philippines to uphold WPS ruling

On the 10th anniversary of the arbitral ruling that debunked China’s “nine-dash line” claim over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), a lawmaker called on the country to uphold its rights over the contested waters.

Pinoy Workers Party-list Rep. Karl Fernandez Legaspi explained that his call was based on the fact that the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the WPS have already been established, particularly noting that the sea forms part of the country’s 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Legaspi said the government needs to protect the area as it provides a sustainable source of livelihood for nearby communities.

“As we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Hague Arbitral Ruling, let us continue to uphold what is rightfully ours, stand by the international law, and ensure that the West Philippine Sea remains a source of livelihood, food security, and opportunity for the Filipino people, not only for today, but for generations to come,” he stated.

The solon further said that despite the ruling, the country continues to face challenges over its waters, underscoring the need to intensify efforts to defend the rights of Filipinos.

He stressed that the ruling has not stopped China's acts of aggression, saying that Filipinos continue to be unlawfully prevented from benefiting from waters that are rightfully theirs.

“It is where they earn an honest living and provide for their families. That is why the significance of the ruling extends far beyond diplomacy,” he said.

“It strengthens our efforts to protect our marine resources, uphold food security, and ensure that the benefits of our waters remain with the Filipino people,” he added.

Supporting his position, Legaspi recently filed a resolution seeking a congressional inquiry into the alleged presence of Chinese floating platforms at Bajo de Masinloc, a territory within the country’s EEZ.

He said the inquiry is intended to strengthen congressional oversight on the safety measures in place to protect fisherfolk from threats to their lives and to food security.

The 2016 arbitral ruling was a landmark decision that found China’s “nine-dash line” claim had no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The tribunal found that China had violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights and engaged in environmentally damaging activities, including harmful fishing practices and large-scale land reclamation, in violation of its obligations under UNCLOS.

Despite overwhelming support from fellow United Nations member states for the ruling, China has continued to reject it.