SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines — The Philippines’ 2016 arbitral victory in the West Philippine Sea remains “a beacon of hope” that strengthens the nation’s resolve to defend its sovereign rights and maritime interests for future generations, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chair and administrator, Eduardo Jose Aliño, said on Sunday (July 12) as the country marked the ruling’s 10th anniversary.
Aliño delivered the message during a maritime tribute in Subic Bay, where nearly 30 vessels sounded their horns in unison while water cannons sprayed into the air to commemorate the landmark international ruling.
The commemoration, organized by SBMA, featured a synchronized water salute and the sounding of tugboat horns, with 28 participating vessels, including eight Philippine Navy ships, two United States Navy ships, tugboats, and commercial vessels stationed across the freeport.
READ: PH arbitral win’s legacy: World’s eyes on China
The Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns, the Philippine Navy, and other government agencies and maritime stakeholders took part in the nationwide observance of the anniversary.
The event marked the 10th anniversary of the July 12, 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which invalidated China’s sweeping nine-dash line claim and upheld the Philippines’ maritime entitlements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).
Widely regarded as one of the country’s most significant legal victories, the ruling continues to serve as the legal foundation for the Philippines’ position on the West Philippine Sea despite Beijing’s rejection of the decision.
READ: Why the West Philippine Sea ruling still matters
The Philippines marked the arbitral ruling’s 10th anniversary with renewed diplomatic statements, commemorative events, expanded patrols and fresh commitments to defend the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea.
For fishermen who have spent the past decade sailing near Bajo de Masinloc, however, the surge in government attention raises a different question: Why did it take 10 years?
While many welcomed the government’s stronger stance, they said much of what is happening now could have eased years of hardship had it been done earlier. —John Patrick Mateo | Contributor /atm
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