The Armed Forces of the Philippines is urging more local government units, government offices, schools, and civil society groups to commemorate July 12 as West Philippine Sea Victory Day, marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award.
AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said the ruling remains a landmark legal victory for the Philippines, as it invalidated China’s sweeping nine-dash line claim and affirmed the country’s maritime entitlements.
“This is a legal victory for the country,” Trinidad said in an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, noting that Cebu City and Labrador, Pangasinan have already passed resolutions commemorating the arbitral ruling.
Trinidad said broader participation from LGUs and schools would help deepen public awareness of the country’s maritime rights, especially among students.
He said the AFP continues to coordinate with the Department of Education and its units nationwide to explain the importance of the Philippines’ maritime domain, the arbitral ruling, and ongoing efforts to defend the country’s rights.
The AFP official also said Philippine forces continue to assert the country’s maritime rights through patrols, monitoring operations, and joint activities with like-minded nations.
Trinidad said the AFP monitored 74 vessels from the People’s Liberation Army Navy and China Coast Guard in key areas of the West Philippine Sea in June, showing that China’s presence remains a serious security challenge.
“Everything is not fine,” Trinidad said, stressing that Chinese vessels remain in the country’s maritime domain despite Beijing’s public messaging.
He added that the AFP monitored more than 20,000 domestic and foreign vessels in June, with around 6,000 failing to respond to radio challenges.
Trinidad said radio challenges are part of normal maritime monitoring procedures, allowing authorities to verify a vessel’s identity, origin, destination, and consistency with automatic identification system data.
As the country marks the 10th anniversary of the arbitral ruling, Trinidad called on Filipinos to unite in supporting the nation’s maritime frontliners.
“Maging isa tayo as we commemorate the 10th anniversary. Ipakita natin ang suporta sa ating bansa at sa ating mga maritime frontliners,” he said.