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Marilyn Cahatol

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175220983424920230712-wps.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Groups hold a protest in front of the Chinese Consulate in Makati on July 12, 2023, on the occasion of the 7th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral ruling recognizing the Philippines’ sovereign rights in areas within its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. The groups want to mark July 12 as the &#x27;West Philippine Sea Day&#x27; in recognition of the ruling. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of National Defense reminded the public Friday that &quot;the rule of law matters&quot; as it commemorated the ninth anniversary of the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling on the South China Sea.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/07/12/16/read-arbitral-courts-ruling-on-philippines-vs-china">READ: Arbitral court&#x27;s ruling on Philippines vs China</a></div><p>“We are reminded of something simple yet powerful: the rule of law matters. For countries like the Philippines, an archipelagic nation whose very existence is intertwined with the maritime domain, respect for international law is not just a principle. It is a lifeline,” it said in a statement.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/12/china-carrying-out-maritime-occupation-in-west-philippine-sea-analyst-1326">China carrying out &#x27;maritime occupation&#x27; in West Philippine Sea: analyst</a></div><p>The Hague-based PCA, on July 12, 2016, ruled in favor of the Philippines amid its dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea, a portion of the South China Sea that Beijing claims in its entirety. </p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2FabscbnNEWS%2Fvideos%2F1192868368809429%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span>The ruling rejected China’s then “nine-dash line,” now “ten-dash line,” a historical map claiming its maritime rights in the maritime zones of the Philippines and other surrounding countries.</div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/25/china-s-10-dash-line-claim-a-joke-says-ph-navy-official-1714">China’s 10-dash line claim ‘a joke,&#x27; says PH Navy official</a></div><p>DND underscored that PCA’s ruling is not only a legal pronouncement, but a “resounding declaration that the only legitimate guide for the conduct of nations is the rule of law – never the imposition of might.”</p><p>“Let it be abundantly clear: defending our sovereign rights and jurisdiction is not an act of provocation. It is the sacred and fundamental duty of the Republic – an expression of our responsibility to our nation, to the Filipino people, and to the countless generations of Filipinos who will inherit this sacred trust,” it said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>AWARD &#x27;CANNOT BE ERASED&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año noted the arbitral ruling reaffirmed the “primacy” of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). </p><p>The UNCLOS established the Philippines’ maritime rights in its territorial sea 12 nautical miles from the baseline, contiguous zone in 24 nautical miles, and EEZ in 200 nautical miles.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/9/more-nations-support-ph-stand-in-wps-since-2016-arbitral-award-tarriela-1617">More nations support PH stand in WPS since 2016 arbitral award -- Tarriela</a></div><p>“Notwithstanding claims to the contrary, the award is final and binding. It cannot be erased by intimidation or misinformation. It is now an enduring part of international law and continues to serve as a beacon for all peace-loving nations who champion the rule of law,” said Año.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/08/30/19/xi-rejects-philippines-arbitral-win-in-south-china-sea">Xi rejects Philippines&#x27; arbitral win in South China Sea</a></div><p>He added that the ruling has served as basis of several maritime laws and memoranda: Republic Acts (RA) 12064 or Philippine Maritime Zones Act, RA 12065 or Archipelagic Sea Lanes, Executive Order No. 37 or National Security Policy and Memorandum Circular NO. 75 or National Security Strategy.</p><div> </div><div><strong>AGGRESSION CONTINUES</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Nine years since the PCA recognized the Philippines’ maritime rights on WPS, China’s aggression within the area continues.</p><p>The Philippine Navy said <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/8/49-chinese-coast-guard-navy-ships-monitored-in-west-ph-sea-in-june-1509">49 Chinese vessels</a> were monitored within WPS this June, the highest recorded in 2025.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/19/knives-looting-severed-thumb-philippines-details-fresh-confrontation-with-china-1613">Knives, looting, severed thumb: Philippines details fresh confrontation with China in Ayungin</a></div><p>Last week, China imposed <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/1/china-imposes-sanction-vs-tolentino-ex-senator-calls-it-badge-of-honor-1330">sanctions</a> on former senator Francis Tolentino over his “egregious conduct on China-related issues.”</p><p>The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/8/philippines-summons-china-envoy-over-sanctions-vs-tolentino-1203">summoned</a> Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian &quot;to convey the Philippines&#x27; concern over China&#x27;s imposition of sanctions against former Senator Francis Tolentino,&quot; according to the Palace.</p><p>Año urged the government to “confront the continuing illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions that threaten regional peace and stability.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/10/carpio-urges-government-to-file-twin-arbitration-cases-against-china-over-sea-dispute-2339">Carpio urges PH gov&#x27;t to file twin arbitration cases against China over sea dispute</a></div><p>“With the might of international law by our side, the Philippines will not yield. We will continue to implement the Award, assert our rights and protect our national interest through sustained maritime presence, law enforcement, capacity-building, strategic communication, and robust cooperation with like-minded partners and allies,” he added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l8CF4EsgvGI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MxwUB_GirRM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Department of National Defense underscored that the PCA’s ruling was a “resounding declaration that the only legitimate guide for the conduct of nations is the rule of law, never the imposition of might.”</p>

The Department of National Defense underscored that the PCA’s ruling was a “resounding declaration that the only legitimate guide for the conduct of nations is the rule of law, never the imposition of might.”

'The rule of law matters': DND marks 9th year of Hague ruling on South China Sea dispute

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'The rule of law matters': DND marks 9th year of Hague ruling on South China Sea dispute

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 11, 2025 01:04 PM PHT

|

Updated Jul 13, 2025 11:14 AM PHT

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West Philippine Sea

arbitral ruling

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Eduardo Año

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