A party-list lawmaker urged the government to strengthen the defense of the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea and protect Filipino fisherfolk from continued Chinese aggression.
PINOY Workers Party-list Rep. Karl Fernandez Legazpi issued the call as the country marked the 10th anniversary of the July 12, 2016 arbitral award rendered under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
“As we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Hague Arbitral Ruling, let us continue to uphold what is rightfully ours, stand by 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,” Legazpi said.
The ruling rejected China’s claims to historic rights within areas covered by its “nine-dash line” insofar as they exceeded the maritime entitlements permitted under UNCLOS. It also affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
Legazpi said the decision remains crucial as the Philippines continues to face Chinese aggression in the disputed waters.
“On 12 July 2016, the Hague Arbitral Tribunal affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its Exclusive Economic Zone in the West Philippine Sea. Ten years later, this landmark ruling remains as relevant as ever,” he said.
He stressed that the West Philippine Sea is not merely a diplomatic or territorial issue but also a vital source of livelihood for thousands of Filipino fisherfolk.
“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,” Legazpi 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.
Legazpi recently filed House Resolution No. 1122 seeking a congressional inquiry into the reported deployment of Chinese floating platforms and other foreign structures within Bajo de Masinloc, which lies within the Philippines’ EEZ.
“Through this resolution, we seek to strengthen congressional oversight and support measures that protect our sovereign rights, safeguard the livelihood of our fisherfolk, and reinforce the Philippines’ commitment to upholding the 2016 Hague Arbitral Award and international law,” he said.
Legazpi said defending the arbitral ruling also means protecting marine resources, fisherfolk livelihoods and the country’s food supply.
“Sa bawat paninindigan natin para sa ating mga karapatan, pinangangalagaan din natin ang kabuhayan ng ating mga mangingisda at ang seguridad sa pagkain ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” he said.
The tribunal also ruled that none of the high-tide features in the Spratly Islands is capable of generating an EEZ or continental shelf. It found that Mischief Reef and Second Thomas Shoal are low-tide elevations located within the Philippines’ EEZ and continental shelf.
The award further found that China violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights by interfering with petroleum exploration, failing to prevent Chinese fishermen from operating within the Philippine EEZ, and constructing installations and artificial islands at Mischief Reef without Manila’s authorization.
It also found that China breached its environmental obligations through harmful fishing practices, large-scale land reclamation, and construction activities.
The award is final and legally binding on both the Philippines and China under UNCLOS. Beijing, however, continues to reject the ruling and maintains that it is null and void.