On 9th anniversary of PCA ruling, AFP commits to remain steadfast in protecting WPS

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday reaffirmed its commitment to uphold the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and "protect what is rightfully ours" in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

"As the protector of the nation's territorial integrity, the AFP remains steadfast in its duty to uphold this ruling through deliberate and sustained action," it said in a statement.

"This historic decision upheld the Philippines' sovereign rights within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea," it added.

 

READ | AFP Statement on the 9th Anniversary of the 2016 PCA Ruling#AFPyoucanTRUST#OneAFPOnePhilippines#StrongAFPStrongPhilippines#OurSeasOurRightsOurFuture pic.twitter.com/QWE8xKZhEW

— Armed Forces of the Philippines (@TeamAFP) July 11, 2025

 

 

"We continue to carry out regular maritime and aerial patrols, enhance our maritime domain awareness, and support the whole-of-nation approach to ensure the security and well-being of our communities, especially our fisherfolk," the AFP said.

"Every operation we conduct in the West Philippine Sea reaffirms our commitment to protect what is rightfully ours. With professionalism, vigilance, and resolve, we will continue to defend our territory, uphold our sovereign rights, and promote peace — always anchored on international law and guided by the interests of the Filipino people," it added.

The AFP also called on Filipinos "to stand united in defense of what is ours today, and in protection of the future. The West Philippine Sea is not just a maritime zone but a lifeline, a legacy, and a symbol of our collective pride and resilience."

"The AFP stands ready and resolute in its mission to defend our seas, sovereignty; and the strength for our people, nation, and the generations yet to come," it added.

The Department of National Defense (DND) on Saturday also issued a statement, saying the ruling serves as a reminder that "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," DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said in a statement.

"We continue to uphold the Award because it reflects what is right and just – not just for us, but for all coastal states whose rights must be respected under international law. No amount of pressure, reinterpretation, or power plays can erase that truth," he said.

On July 12, 2016, the PCA based in The Hague, Netherlands issued a ruling on the case filed by the Philippines in January 2013. 

The case hinges on the legal status of reefs, rocks and artificial islands in the Scarborough Shoal and Spratly Island group.

Manila's 15-point case critically asks the tribunal to rule on the status of China's so-called "nine-dash line", a boundary that is the basis for its 69-year-old claim to roughly 85% of the South China Sea.

The PCA invalidated Beijing’s massive claims in South China Sea.

"The Tribunal concluded that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line’," the PCA said.

"[Although] two Chinese navigators and fishermen, as well as those of other States, had historically made use of the islands in the South China Sea, there was no evidence that China had historically exercised exclusive control over the waters or  their  resources," it added.

The AFP said the PCA ruling "is not only a legal triumph but a reaffirmation of the strength of international law and the enduring pursuit of peace, justice, and a rules-based order in our region. It remains a moral and legal compass, guiding our actions in the defense of national sovereignty."

The Philippines on Friday renewed its call to China to comply with the nine-year-old arbitration ruling that nullified Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea, saying all countries, “regardless of size, might, or capacity must meet their duties and obligations” under international law.

Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro made the call a day before the anniversary of the July 12, 2016 ruling by The Hague tribunal that she said “sets reason and right in the South China Sea.”

“Nine years hence, its legitimacy continues to be tested, challenged, and subverted, putting not only the Philippines’ maritime interests in peril, but also the regional stability and prosperity we are all working so hard to achieve,” Lazaro said in a recorded video message at a forum commemorating the tribunal ruling hosted by Stratbase ADR Institute.

China, however, has repeatedly refused to recognize the PCA ruling and said it does not accept any claim or action based on the ruling.

"With its ruling, the tribunal violated the principle of state consent, went beyond its authority to hear the case and perverted law," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbing told a regular news conference in July 2023.

The Philippines and China continue to be embroiled in a territorial dispute.

READ: Defending Our Territory: The West Philippine Sea (Part 1)

READ: Defending our Territory: Actions of PH Presidents in WPS (Part 2)

 —KG, GMA Integrated News