MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday rejected recent statements from the Chinese Embassy questioning the validity of the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling, describing the decision as binding and firmly grounded in international law.
The DFA said the award, issued by a tribunal formed under Annex VII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), provides clear legal interpretation of maritime rights and entitlements in the South China Sea.
Calling the ruling “final and binding,” the department said it has become an established part of international legal jurisprudence and cannot be considered void or invalid.
The DFA dismissed China’s repeated objections regarding the tribunal’s jurisdiction, noting that these claims had already been rejected during the arbitration process. It clarified that the case centered on UNCLOS interpretation, not territorial sovereignty or boundary delimitation.
It also addressed China’s criticism of the Philippines’ decision to seek arbitration, saying Manila complied with Article 283 of UNCLOS by attempting consultations before initiating formal dispute settlement proceedings.
The department emphasized that the Philippines remains committed to dialogue but retains the right to use legal mechanisms when negotiations fail to resolve disputes.
With the 10th anniversary of the ruling approaching, the DFA said the award continues to reinforce a rules-based maritime order by clarifying international law and supporting peaceful ocean governance.
It added that the decision provides guidance on maritime feature classification, lawful sea claims, environmental protection, and the obligations of states in safeguarding marine ecosystems.
elamigo/xf
