Baguio City commemorated the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Hague arbitral ruling rejecting China’s claims in the South China Sea with events including a military-sponsored battle of the bands and an information drive at City Hall.
The commemoration took place through a military-sponsored battle of the bands on Sunday and a City Hall information drive on Monday. Details of the ruling were displayed at the City Hall lobby.
Navy Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia, superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy, spoke at Monday’s flag-raising ceremony. He stated that the ruling was a testament that “truth, justice and the rule of law is the foundation for a free nation.”
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the activities aim to retell the story of the country’s sovereignty to younger generations. Valencia noted that the West Philippine Sea issue concerns the sovereignty of every Filipino regardless of where they live.
He added that every generation must protect sovereignty against foreign aggression, as security issues affect the economy and daily life.
