The Philippines’ 2016 legal victory in the Permanent Court of Arbitration remains at the core of its foreign and national security policies, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año underscored on Friday, July 12.
In his opening remarks in the celebration of the 8th year anniversary of Arbitral Award to the Philippines at the Manila Polo Club, Año reiterated that China’s claim and other reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea were ‘unlawful and had no basis’ in international law.
“Eight years ago today, in a battle akin to David versus Goliath, victory was handed to the Philippines,” he stated. Año emphasized that China’s coercion and aggressive activities threaten the safety and free passage of all stakeholders in the area.
“There coercive and aggressive activities not only threaten the Philippines maritime entitlements, but the safety and free passage of more than 60 percent of commerce that passes this area,” he said.
Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said, for his part, the government assures that the natural resources in the area shall be protected for the benefit of future Filipino generations.
“Sapagkat ang mga gawaing ito po ay isinisigurado lang po na para sa Pilipino ang likas na yaman sa ilalim ng karagatan ng West Philippine Sea at gamitin ito para sa ating henerasyon at sa mga susunod na henerasyon upang mapayaman, maging matibay at matatag ang ating bansa,” Teodoro said.
The Defense chief underscored that his department will uphold and keep standing behind the arbitral award for the welfare of the Filipinos.
“Kami po ay nananalig na nasa likuran nito kami, sapagkat para sa ating mga kababayan po ang ating ipinaglalaban, at kung ano ang ipagwagi natin ngayong araw na ito, kinikilala po natin at isinusulong po natin,” he added.
