AFP continues to uphold arbitral ruling over West PH Sea claim

PREPAREDNESS Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (third from right) leads the opening ceremony for the AFP Joint Exercise Dagat-Langit-Lupa that will involve 3,000 active and reserve forces and representatives from the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police and other government agencies in this file photo taken in Nov. 2024. INQUIRER file photo / LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reaffirmed on Saturday its commitment to uphold the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), nine years after the landmark arbitral ruling invalidated China’s expansive maritime claims over the contested waters.

READ: 9 years after arbitral ruling, China still defies PH sea claim

In a statement marking the anniversary of the 2016 Hague ruling, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military’s role in securing the WPS is deeply rooted not just in law but also in the country’s sense of identity.

“This is more than a legal ruling but a recognition of what every Filipino has long held in their heart—that these waters, resources, and legacy—are rightfully ours,” said Brawner.

“The West Philippine Sea is not just a line on a map. It is a lifeline. It feeds our people, secures our borders, and speaks of our dignity as a nation,” he added.

The arbitral tribunal that heard the Philippines’ case against China ruled overwhelmingly in Manila’s favor in 2016, rejecting Beijing’s expansive claims in the South China Sea. The panel affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone and declared China’s nine-dash line and other activities in Philippine waters as unlawful.

In a separate statement, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, AFP public affairs office chief, said the AFP “remains steadfast in its duty to uphold this ruling through deliberate and sustained action” by conducting regular maritime and aerial patrols, enhancing maritime domain awareness, and supporting the unified national approach to safeguard coastal communities, especially fisherfolk.

The AFP referred to the ruling not just as a legal victory but also as a “moral compass” that guides the force’s actions.

“This ruling is not only a legal triumph but a reaffirmation of the strength of international law and the enduring pursuit of peace, justice, and a rules-based order in our region. It remains a moral and legal compass, guiding our actions in the defense of national sovereignty,” said Trinidad. /jpv