Solon wants July 12 declared West Philippine Sea Victory Day

A congressman filed a resolution to declare National West Philippine Sea Victory Day on July 12 of every year, which will honor Manila's victory in the 2016 South China Sea case.

In a statement on Monday, House Deputy Speaker and Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez filed House Resolution No. 1975 last July 7, 2021, to push for the country's maritime claims at the Kalayaan Island group, portions of Spratly Islands in Palawan area, and Panatag Shoal off Zambales and Pangasinan.

“This declaration will celebrate our government’s July 12, 2016 triumph before the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration, which upheld our country’s sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea, much of which our frenemy China is illegally claiming as part of its territory,” Rodriguez said.

In his resolution, Rodriguez also underscored the country's victory in the maritime dispute against China, adding that it should be kept alive "despite others believing that it is a hollow victory.” The arbitral ruling also marks its fifth anniversary this July 12.

“It is in this context that we should celebrate our David against Goliath triumph on July 12 of every year, but we should insist every minute that China should recognize, respect and abide by the ruling,” he said.

Even with the 2016 ruling that invalidated China's massive claims at the South China Sea, Rodriguez lamented China's incursions at Panatag Shoal, which Filipino fishermen refer to as Bajo de Masinloc. He added that Beijing seized the island in 2012 after a standoff between Chinese Coast Guard and Philippine Coast Guard in 2012.

Further, Rodriguez credited the governance of late former President Benigno Aquino III for taking the dispute to the international court, which issued its ruling 12 days after Aquino stepped down from his post in 2016.

“Despite the clear victory of the Philippines, China has refused to acknowledge the ruling and has continued to harass Filipino fishermen and to illegally construct structures on the different islands in the WPS,” the House leader said.

At the Senate, Senator Risa Hontiveros also filed a resolution declaring July 12 as National West Philippine Sea Victory Day. 

Vice President Leni Robredo earlier criticized the Duterte administration for its failure to invoke the Philippines' arbitral victory against China.

Five years after the ruling, China still refuses to recognize it, calling the decision as invalid and illegal.

President Rodrigo Duterte, on the other hand, had said he wouldn't go to war with China over the Philippine waters but maintained that Philippines' ships will remain at the West Philippine Sea.  — BM, GMA News