On the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award, the Philippines and 13 other countries issued a joint statement describing the ruling as final and legally binding. Domestic events included a monument unveiling and naval salutes.
The governments of Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the United States joined the Philippines in the statement. They reaffirmed that there is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, including those based on historic rights.
The statement also expressed opposition to unilateral actions and the use of coast guard or maritime militia forces to harass operations at sea. It called on parties to resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law.
In Manila, the Quezon City government and the Atin Ito coalition unveiled the West Philippine Sea Fisherfolk Monument. Philippine Coast Guard ships sounded horns to mark the occasion.
Senators Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, Bam Aquino and Erwin Tulfo renewed calls to uphold the ruling as the country’s strongest legal basis in the West Philippine Sea.
