Marcos on 2016 arbitral award: S. China Sea shouldn't be conflict arena

MANILA, Philippines — “The South China Sea must never be an arena of conflict. It must remain a sea of peace, cooperation, and connectivity.”

These were the measured remarks made by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday as the Philippines commemorated the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award, which invalidated China’s nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea.

Marcos renewed his administration’s commitment to international law and the rules-based international order, emphasizing that the landmark ruling issued on July 12, 2016, remains a vital instrument in protecting the country’s sovereign rights and safeguarding the livelihoods of Filipinos.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: A decade on, arbitral award remains central to PH sea strategy

FEATURED STORIES

GLOBALNATION

GLOBALNATION

GLOBALNATION

“We remain steadfastly committed to the United Nations Charter and to UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea]. For our pursuit of peace is not passive. It requires the courage to defend what is right, to uphold our international commitments, and to engage constructively with all who seek mutual respect and shared prosperity,” he said in his speech during a diplomatic reception at the Conrad Manila in Pasay City.

The President said the ruling was more than a legal victory but a reiteration that disputes between nations must be resolved peacefully through international law rather than through the threat or use of force or coercion.

“As we mark the conclusion of today’s landmark commemorative conference, we gather not merely to celebrate a legal milestone, but to reaffirm a living truth that peace can only endure when it is anchored on justice, mutual respect, and the sovereign equality of all nations,” he said.

Describing the award as the “great equalizer of all nations,” Marcos said the 2016 Arbitral Award demonstrated that justice is not determined by military strength, territorial size, or economic power.

Article continues after this advertisement

“At its heart, this award is about people. It is about our fisherfolk whose ancestors have cast their nets in these waters for many generations, and who deserve to fish in peace, in safety, and with the dignity to feed their own families. It is about our coastal communities whose survival is tied to the health and ecological integrity of our oceans,” Marcos noted.

“When we defend the rule of law, we are not merely defending lines on a map. We are defending the lives, the livelihoods, and the future of our peoples,” Marcos pointed out.

Article continues after this advertisement

Marcos also said the legacy of the 2016 Arbitral Award “is still unfolding” and that the responsibility to build upon its foundation now rests with governments, diplomats, and Filipinos who believe that peace is best secured through the rule of law.

Issued on 12 July 2016, the Award found that China violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone by interfering with fishing and petroleum exploration, constructing artificial islands, and failing to prevent Chinese nationals from fishing in the Philippines’ EEZ. /gsg

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.