The Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns on Sunday reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to building a maritime future anchored on international law, responsible stewardship of the seas and constructive engagement with all nations.
In its message marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the National Maritime Council said the Philippines would continue to “champion dialogue over discord, cooperation over conflict, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.”
The landmark ruling invalidated China’s so-called nine-dash line claim and affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
The NMC said every Filipino has a duty to defend the country’s rights over its waters, to responsibly manage marine resources for present and future generations, to keep the seas open and safe for navigation, and to uphold international law.
It described the Arbitral Award, issued on July 12, 2016, as a legacy belonging to every Filipino “not to any administration, institution, or political party.”
The council said Filipinos share the responsibility of ensuring that young people and future generations inherit not only the obligations but also the benefits of being citizens of a great maritime nation.
“May this anniversary renew our pride as a maritime and an archipelagic nation, deepen our appreciation of the seas that sustain us, and inspire every Filipino to become a steward of our shared maritime heritage,” it said.
“The story of the Arbitral Award is ultimately the Filipino story, a story of resilience, unity, and faith that the rule of law remains the surest path to a just, peaceful, and prosperous future. That is the legacy we celebrate today,” it added.
The NMC said the Philippines brought the maritime dispute before the arbitral tribunal because of its belief in international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
“It was a choice rooted in the conviction that what is right should never depend on the size of a nation or the strength of its military, but on the enduring principles of justice and the rule of law,” it said.
The council said the tribunal’s decision “authoritatively clarified important principles under UNCLOS and affirmed that maritime rights and entitlements are governed by international law.”
“For the international community, the Award serves as a powerful affirmation that disputes can be addressed through lawful and peaceful means, and that international law protects the rights of all States, large and small alike,” it said.
The NMC stressed that the ruling carries direct significance for Filipinos whose livelihoods and communities depend on the country’s waters.
“For Filipinos, however…It is about the fisherfolk who depend on the sea to provide for their family. It is about coastal communities whose future relies on healthy seas and sustainable resources,” it said.
The council added that the issue also affects the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, other maritime law enforcement agencies, scientists, educators and public servants who dedicate themselves to safeguarding the country’s maritime domain.