Filipinos call for ‘West Philippine Sea Day,’ celebrate arbitration ruling anniversary
2024.07.12
Quezon City, Philippines
Members of Filipino nationalist coalitions, fishing organizations and civil society groups on Friday marked the eighth anniversary of Manila’s victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague.
On July 12, 2016, the court ruled in favor of the Philippines, which had filed an arbitration case, and against China’s sweeping territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Activists urged the government to declare July 12 be designated “West Philippine Sea Day” each year, referring to territories in the South China Sea within Manila's exclusive economic zone.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año called on China to respect the ruling.
“It was an overwhelming victory for the Philippines and we should all be proud,” he said.
“We don’t want war,” Año said, adding both sides are working to de-escalate tensions in the region.
But Año blamed Beijing’s “blatant disregard” for the ruling for the June 17 clash between Chinese personnel and Filipino troops near Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal.
Meanwhile, Beijing reiterated on Friday that the ruling was “illegal, null and void, and non-binding.”
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