West PH Sea arbitral win 10th anniversary kicks off with sea action

SUBIC, Zambales — About 250 Zambales fisherfolk staged a symbolic sea action early Sunday, July 5, to mark the start of a week-long commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Philippines’ landmark 2016 arbitral victory on the West Philippine Sea.

Before sunrise, fishermen and volunteers gathered along the shoreline to prepare the boats for the activity organized by the Atin Ito Coalition in partnership with the New Masinloc Fishermen Association, the Subic Commercial Fishers Association, and the Samahan ng Cabangan-3 Fishermen’s Unity.

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READ: Fisherfolk to hold sea action in Subic ahead of WPS ruling anniversary

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Organizers said about 80 small fishing boats and six mother boats were expected to join the flotilla.

The boats will sail into Subic Bay and form a giant Philippine flag, along with the message “WPS, ATIN ITO!,” through coordinated formations. A short program will follow onshore.

The sea action comes days before the July 12 anniversary of the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which invalidated China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea and affirmed the Philippines’ maritime entitlements under international law.

The decision is widely regarded as a landmark legal victory for the Philippines in the long-running dispute over the West Philippine Sea. /mcm

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