The 10th anniversary of the Philippines’ landmark victory in the West Philippine Sea arbitration case was commemorated in Zambales.
Carrying the theme, “Bayanihan sa Karagatan: Liwanag ng Kalayaan, Tanglaw ng Karagatan,” the event reaffirmed the July 12, 2016 arbitral ruling, which declared China’s nine-dash line to have no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The ruling also upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone, including waters near Masinloc.
During the celebration, Zambales Governor Jun Ebdane urged residents to commemorate the ruling, emphasizing that the decision favored the Philippines.
He also encouraged the public to uphold unity and patriotism while remembering the country’s legal victory in the West Philippine Sea, reaffirming the province’s full support for the national government’s position on the issue.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro also attended the event, where he called for the continued protection of the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.
Teodoro said the occasion was also an opportunity to recognize the sacrifices of Filipino fishermen and expressed hope that the West Philippine Sea would remain open for all Filipinos for generations to come.
(PHOTO COURTESY: Zambales for the People)
