President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted the human impact of the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award at a diplomatic reception marking its 10th anniversary.
Speaking on Friday at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City, Marcos said the ruling is about defending the lives and livelihoods of fisherfolk and coastal communities. He stressed that disputes must be resolved through peaceful means and the rule of law rather than coercion.
The award has strengthened global confidence in international tribunals and serves as a key reference for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Marcos added. Its legacy continues to unfold, he noted, calling on governments and citizens to build upon it.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. described the decision as an award for the world that upholds UNCLOS against revisionist attempts. The Department of Foreign Affairs separately rejected recent Chinese claims that Batanes belongs to China, calling the Philippines' sovereignty over the province settled and not up for debate.
