MANILA, Philippines — The National Maritime Council (NMC) on Sunday said the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling on the West Philippine Sea belongs to every Filipino, not to any administration or political party.
The message came as the NMC called on Filipinos to stand united in upholding international law and peacefully defending the nation’s maritime rights as the country marked the ruling’s 10th anniversary.
In a statement commemorating the milestone, the council said the ruling was more than a legal victory, describing it as a reflection of the Filipino people’s commitment to justice, peace, and the rule of law.
“It does not belong to any administration, institution, or political party. It belongs to us all, as we strive to do our best to ensure that our youth and all future generations inherit not just the responsibilities but the benefits as well of being citizens of a great maritime nation,” the NMC said.
“Let it remind us that the Philippines is strongest when we stand together, confident in our principles, united in our purpose, and committed to the peaceful pursuit of our national interests,” it added.
READ: Survey: 1 in 3 Filipinos in Davao Region oppose defending WPS
The NMC is the interagency body created by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in March 2024 to strengthen the Philippines’ maritime security and increase maritime domain awareness among Filipinos amid China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea.
It serves as the central body responsible for formulating policies and strategies to ensure a unified, coordinated, and effective governance framework for the country’s maritime security and domain awareness. It is chaired by the Executive Secretary and composed of 12 Cabinet secretaries.
Philippine government officials on Sunday led the National Peace Walk at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila to reaffirm the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidating China’s claims in the South China Sea.
Leading the walk were some of the government’s most vocal advocates for defending the country’s sovereignty and sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea: Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., and Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.
The NMC said the Philippines, as a maritime and archipelagic nation, views its seas as part of its history and identity.
“Protecting our maritime rights is, therefore, not merely about defending what is ours. It is about securing opportunities for future generations and preserving a heritage entrusted to our care,” it added.
According to the NMC, the anniversary of the arbitral ruling should remind Filipinos that the country’s maritime interests extend beyond territorial concerns, as the legal victory is significant to the lives of ordinary citizens who depend on the sea for their livelihood.
READ: 10 years after Hague win, Filipino fishers still face harassment in WPS
“It is about the fisherfolk who depend on the sea to provide for their families. It is about coastal communities whose future relies on healthy seas and sustainable resources,” the statement read.
The NMC also paid tribute to personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, other maritime law enforcement agencies, scientists, educators, and public servants “who dedicate themselves to safeguarding our maritime domain.”
But above all, the council said, the arbitral award is “about every Filipino who believes that our nation should pursue its rightful interests with dignity, responsibility, and peace.”
“[It] affirmed something about the Filipino people: that ours is a nation prepared to stand for what is right with courage, confidence, and conviction,” it added.
The NMC said the country would continue to abide by international law and engage constructively with all nations.
“We will continue to champion dialogue over discord, cooperation over conflict, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law,” it added. /mcm
The post NMC: 2016 Hague ruling belongs to all Filipinos, not political parties appeared first on Inquirer.net.
