• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

PH to oppose illegal, coercive acts as SCS ruling binding - NMC

Philippine News Agency

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
July 12, 2025, 2:14 pm

MANILA -- The Philippines will continue to challenge "illegal and coercive acts" in its maritime domain, the National Maritime Council (NMC) said Saturday, stressing that the Permanent Court of Arbitration's (PCA) 2016 ruling on the South China Sea (SCS) disputes is "binding and final."

"The award is binding, final, and cannot be erased or diminished, and is beyond the reproach of politics. It is now an undeniable part of the body of international law," the NMC said, as the country commemorates the ninth year of the Philippines' historic win in its arbitration case against China's sweeping claims over almost the entire SCS.

The arbitral award "remains a guiding light for nations large and small that the rule of law must be respected," the NMC said, emphasizing that it is proof that coercion, aggression, and unlawful expansion "have no place in the modern and civilized world."

"The Philippines commemorates with the international community the ninth anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea. It is a testament to the power of right over might and the rules-based order in the maritime domain," it said.

"As we mark this day, we must continue to confront illegal and coercive actions in our waters. The Philippines will assert its maritime rights with clarity and resolve through a sustained presence, strategic communication, the promotion of international law, capability-building, and stronger partnerships with like-minded nations."

The council said the Philippines remains committed to asserting its rights through "peaceful, lawful, and rules-based means."

It urged all Filipinos to continue to rally around the 2016 SCS ruling, citing its value and importance in upholding the country's maritime rights and entitlements, as well as in protecting its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in its maritime zones, particularly in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

"It (The Philippines) will continue to promote diplomacy and consultation, while safeguarding national sovereignty and maritime integrity," the NMC said.

On July 12, 2016, the PCA in The Hague, The Netherlands ruled in favor of the Philippines after it invalidated China's supposedly historic rights over nearly the entire SCS.

China, however, has repeatedly ignored the 2016 PCA ruling. (PNA)