By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Philippines has firmly reaffirmed the validity of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, with the National Maritime Council (NMC) declaring that the landmark ruling remains legally binding and continues to serve as a cornerstone of the country’s maritime policy nearly 10 years after it was issued.
In a statement released Wednesday, the NMC backed the position of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), emphasizing that the Philippines’ maritime rights and entitlements are firmly anchored in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and reinforced by the historic arbitral ruling that invalidated key aspects of China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.
“The Philippines’ position remains clear and consistent. Our maritime rights and entitlements are grounded in international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award,” the council said.
The statement came a day after the DFA rejected assertions made by the Chinese Embassy in Manila questioning the legitimacy and relevance of the ruling.
Issued on July 12, 2016, by the tribunal constituted under UNCLOS, the award invalidated China’s expansive “nine-dash line” claim, ruling that it had no legal basis under international law. The decision also clarified the maritime entitlements of states in the South China Sea and upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The NMC stressed that the award continues to provide legal guidance on the interpretation and application of UNCLOS, particularly regarding the legal status of maritime features and the maritime rights of coastal states.
“A decade after its issuance, the Award continues to provide legal clarity on the interpretation and application of UNCLOS,” the council noted.
As the country prepares to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the ruling on July 12, the NMC underscored the significance of the decision not only for the Philippines but also for the international community.
According to the council, the award demonstrates that disputes between nations can be resolved peacefully through established legal mechanisms rather than coercion or force.
The Philippines, it added, remains committed to diplomacy, dialogue, and the peaceful settlement of disputes while continuing to safeguard its lawful maritime rights and national interests.
“Upholding the Arbitral Award is not an obstacle to constructive relations among nations; rather, it strengthens legal certainty, promotes responsible State behavior, and contributes to regional peace, stability, and prosperity,” the council said.
The reaffirmation comes as Manila continues to assert its maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea amid persistent tensions with Beijing, with the arbitral ruling remaining a central pillar of the country’s legal and diplomatic position in the region.
ia/xf
