MANILA — The Philippines will “stand our ground” in its dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea, a top security official said Friday, marking eight years since an international ruling against China in the territorial contest.
Tensions in the strategic waterway, a crucial passage for sea-borne trade, have intensified over the past 18 months, with escalating confrontations between Philippine and Chinese ships.
The most serious incident occurred on June 17, when China Coast Guard personnel, armed with knives, sticks, and an axe, surrounded and boarded three Philippine Navy boats during a resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.
Despite an agreement last week to “de-escalate tensions” over the disputed reefs and waters, Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano reaffirmed Friday that Manila would not back down.
“We will continue to stand our ground and push back against coercion, interference, malign influence, and other tactics that seek to jeopardize our security and stability,” Ano said at an event commemorating the anniversary of the ruling by The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration.
The Philippines on Friday commemorated the 2016 ruling of a UN-backed arbitration court that invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, calling it a testament to its dedication to regional peace.
In 2013, Manila filed an arbitration case in the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague against China over its nine-dash-line claim that encroached on the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. The court ruled in 2016 that China’s “historic” claims in the strategic waterway had no basis.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the arbitral award was a “testament to our unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.”
The DFA noted that despite “unlawful actions which have caused serious incidents” in the South China Sea, the Philippines has continued to “demonstrate this commitment to peace.”
Recently, China and the Philippines held high-level diplomatic talks following a series of escalations in the West Philippine Sea, including a violent sea clash that seriously injured a uniformed Philippine personnel.
Allies of the Philippines have also issued statements calling on China to respect the award.
“We continue to call on [China] to abide by the 2016 arbitral ruling, to cease its dangerous and destabilizing conduct,” said US State Secretary Anthony Blinken.
“The EU views the award as legally binding. All parties involved must respect and honor the award,” the European Union stated.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte set aside the Philippines’ 2016 victory in the arbitral case to pursue warmer ties with China, which never acknowledged the ruling and even called it “illegal.”
Under President Marcos Jr., the Philippines has repeatedly condemned China for its incursions in the West Philippine Sea.