Gov’t leaning on 2016 arbitral ruling, allies—Sec. Año
The Philippines will “stand our ground” in its dispute with Beijing over the West Philippine Sea, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said Friday, eight years after an international ruling against China in the territorial contest.
“We will continue to stand our ground and push back against coercion, interference, malign influence and other tactics that seek to jeopardise our security and stability,” Año said during a Stratbase forum to celebrate the anniversary of the ruling by The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement for the arbitral ruling anniversary that Washington remained “deeply concerned” about China’s claims “over vast areas that are clearly within the maritime jurisdiction of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei.”
Blinken called on Beijing to “abide by the 2016 arbitral ruling” and “cease its dangerous and destabilising conduct.
Año said Friday the government would continue to “foster closer ties with like-minded countries” and remained open to discussing “difficult issues.”
The Philippines has deepened defense cooperation with the United States and other countries in the face of China’s growing assertiveness.
On Monday, the Philippines signed a key defense pact with Japan that will allow the deployment of troops on each other’s territory.
Philippine Navy spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad added that Manila has every right to enforce its laws against Beijing in the West Philippine Sea.
He also rejected China’s claim that BRP Sierra Madre, which was deliberately grounded on Ayungin Shoal, was causing environmental damage in the area as a “false narrative.”
DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro echoed his position, saying it was part of Beijing’s disinformation campaign.
“I think this is all part of the disinformation process that China has always projected. And I think there are so many other narratives that may come after that. And that’s why we just have to be ready,” Lazaro said.
At the same forum, former Justice Antonio Carpio argued that it is China, not the Philippines, that is obstructing environmental restoration in the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippines filed a case against China in 2013. Three years later, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in Manila’s favor, declaring China’s expansive claims had no legal basis.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte, who took office in 2016, set aside the ruling in exchange for warmer ties with China. That changed when Philippine President Marcos was elected in 2022, insisting he would not let China trample on Manila’s maritime rights.
Tensions over the strategic waterway, a key passage for sea-borne trade, have soared in the past 18 months following a series of escalating confrontations between Philippine and Chinese ships.
The most serious happened on June 17, when China Coast Guard personnel wielding knives, sticks and an axe surrounded and boarded three Philippine Navy boats during a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.
Since then, diplomatic relations between Manila and Beijing have deteriorated as the Marcos administration pushes back against Chinese actions. With AFP
