IT HAS been a decade — July 12, 2026, to be exact — since the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague upheld the Philippines’ maritime rights over portions of the South China Sea that we call the West Philippine Sea. That landmark victory, although still disputed by some, was achieved not through military aggression but through diplomacy and the rule of law. The ruling invalidated Beijing’s expansive maritime claims represented by the infamous nine-dash line while affirming the Philippines’ maritime entitlements under international law. Ten years later, the arbitral award remains a compelling example of how international disputes can be resolved peacefully and has become a cornerstone of the country’s maritime policy.
The 2016 Arbitral Award is more than just a legal document. It stands as proof that, even in the face of adversity, the best path forward is the peaceful settlement of disputes and adherence to international law. It demonstrated to the world that even a developing nation can assert and defend its rights without resorting to force.
Meanwhile, the Department of National Defense (DND) commemorated the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Award through a nationwide flag-raising ceremony at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo.
For its part, the DND recognized the collaborative and patriotic efforts of Filipinos in upholding and defending the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea through the rule of law.
The 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Award is a binding decision issued under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which ruled that China’s expansive ‘nine-dash line’ has no legal basis under international law.
Issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration on July 12, 2016, the award upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights over disputed maritime areas under UNCLOS and invalidated China’s sweeping claims over much of the South China Sea, including parts of the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippine Army likewise joined the commemoration through simultaneous flag-raising ceremonies at its headquarters in Fort Bonifacio and at various camps nationwide.
According to the Army, the commemoration reaffirms its commitment to securing the country’s land domain through the implementation of the Land Defense Concept in support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Operations.
Speaking of securing the country, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are in the midst of a modernization program aimed primarily at upgrading their assets and capabilities. This should not be interpreted as preparation for war — which is probably the last thing the country needs, especially amid a totally useless impeachment controversy. Rather, the modernization effort is intended to strengthen the country’s defensive capability and better protect our own backyard from unwanted intrusions.
Moving on, the Philippines has called on the international community to reaffirm the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the legal framework governing the world’s oceans.
The Philippine delegation, during the 36th Meeting of States Parties to the Law of the Sea (SPLOS 36) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York last week, emphasized the importance of upholding UNCLOS and complying with decisions issued through its dispute-settlement mechanisms.
In its national statement, the Philippines described the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award as a “guidepost” for states in addressing key maritime issues, including the invalidity of excessive or historic maritime claims, the legal status of maritime features, activities that infringe on the rights of coastal states, and the obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment.
Looking back, the arbitral award was issued on July 12, 2016, by a tribunal constituted under Annex VII of UNCLOS following a case filed by the Philippines against China in 2013.
The ruling invalidated China’s expansive “nine-dash line” claim in the South China Sea, affirmed the Philippines’ maritime entitlements under UNCLOS, and clarified the legal status of several disputed maritime features.
As expected, China rejected the ruling. Nevertheless, the Philippines and many other countries continue to regard the decision as legally binding under international law.
Finally, 10 years on, diplomacy and the rule of law remain far better options than military aggression./PN
