On Sunday, the Philippines marked the tenth anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling on its South China Sea petition, a milestone that many sectors commemorated across the country.
The 2016 decision invalidated China’s nine‑dash line claim, reaffirming Philippine sovereignty over maritime zones and rejecting the sweeping assertions as lacking historical and legal foundation.
In the decade since, China has intensified coercive actions in the West Philippine Sea, deploying military force and intimidating Philippine fishermen and maritime patrols, while diplomatic protests have met with escalating aggression.
Alongside physical confrontations, China has amplified online disinformation campaigns designed to confuse and distort public understanding of the dispute.
To reflect on the ruling’s impact, a conference hosted by the Stratbase Institute gathered officials from government, defense, diplomacy, academia, civil society, and local communities to discuss future steps grounded in the legal victory and China’s continued provocations.
Participants agreed that the anniversary should serve as a living mandate, demanding active defense of the ruling rather than mere remembrance from a distance.
While the legal win is clear, its translation into policy, diplomatic action, and national resolve remains uncertain, as the ruling is often dismissed or ignored in practice.
Proposals include institutionalizing July 12 as National West Philippine Sea Victory Day through an executive order, signaling a national commitment to uphold and defend the awarded rights.
The Philippines also aims to enforce the ruling domestically and within the broader Indo‑Pacific context, ensuring that any Code of Conduct for the South China Sea reflects the arbitral award as its legal baseline.
The late former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, who helped build the case, emphasized that regional rule of law cannot ignore the established legal framework, a principle that remains relevant today.
Negotiations for a Code of Conduct must preserve the arbitral award, avoiding any compromise that would legitimize China’s unlawful claims.
Transparency is essential; the Filipino public has a right to know the terms of any agreement that shapes national maritime policy.
Ten years ago, the Philippines demonstrated that law can counter power; the next decade must build on that success to secure peace, stability, and pride for the nation.
Victor Andres “Dindo” C. Manhit, president of the Stratbase Institute, highlighted the need for continued vigilance and adherence to international law as a model for the region and the world.
