Teodoro praises Cebu City's move to declare July 12 as 'West Philippine Sea Victory Day'

National

DEFENSE Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. expressed support for the Cebu City Council’s decision to declare July 12 of every year as “West Philippine Sea Victory Day,” calling the move a reaffirmation of the country’s rights and interests in the disputed waters.

In a statement, Teodoro described the 2016 Arbitral Award as a significant victory for the Philippines and said the country should continue to uphold and pursue its enforcement.

The observance was approved through a resolution unanimously passed by the Cebu City Council and authored by Councilor Paul Labra. The measure establishes an annual commemoration of the July 12, 2016 ruling issued by an international arbitral tribunal in favor of the Philippines.

According to the resolution, the initiative aims to reinforce support for the country’s sovereign rights and maritime jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea while recognizing the importance of protecting the traditional fishing grounds of Filipino fisherfolk. It also seeks to raise public awareness of the arbitral ruling and promote patriotism, national unity, and respect for international law through education and annual observance.

The ruling, issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, rejected China’s broad claims over large portions of the South China Sea under its so-called nine-dash line. The tribunal concluded that the claims had no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

China has continued to reject the ruling and maintain its claims in the area, while the Philippines has consistently maintained that the decision is final and legally binding under international law and has repeatedly called for its recognition and implementation.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported continued monitoring of Chinese vessels in several key maritime areas in the West Philippine Sea.

Based on AFP monitoring conducted from June 23 to 29, authorities recorded the presence of 29 China Coast Guard vessels and 15 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships, bringing the total to 44 vessels.

The highest number of monitored vessels was recorded near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal), where 18 CCG vessels and nine PLAN warships were observed. Additional vessel activity was monitored near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, and Pag-asa (Thitu) Island. (Jhenevive Etang, PIT Comm Intern)