PH's arbitral win 'an irreducible truth,' says Teodoro

By Priam Nepomuceno

MANILA - The Philippine government on Friday marked the ninth anniversary of its arbitral win in its territorial dispute with China, with Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. calling the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling "an irreducible truth."

"The Philippines, a nation committed to peace and principled engagement, views this Award not just as a cornerstone of our foreign and security policy, but as an irreducible truth," Teodoro said in a statement.

Teodoro was referring to the 501-page ruling of the Hague-based PCA released on July 12, 2016 favoring the Philippines in its case against China over the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

China refuses to acknowledge the ruling and has continued with its aggressive actions in the WPS.

But according to Teodoro, "no amount of pressure, reinterpretation, or power plays" can erase the Philippines' victory before the PCA.

The Defense chief also added that the victory serves as a reminder that "rule of law matters."

"We are reminded of something simple yet powerful: the rule of law matters. For countries like the Philippines, an archipelagic nation whose very existence is intertwined with the maritime domain, respect for international law is not just a principle. It is a lifeline," he said.

In a separate statement, National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Ano said the arbitral award "remains a definitive triumph of reason over force and of rules over coercion."

"It reaffirmed the primacy of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the constitution of the oceans, and clarified with finality the extent of our maritime rights and entitlements in the West Philippine Sea," he said.

Echoing Teodoro, Ao also said the award is "final and binding" and "cannot be erased by intimidation or misinformation."

"It is now an enduring part of international law and continues to serve as a beacon for all peace-loving nations who champion the rule of law," he said.

Ao also said that the Philippines had enshrined the Award in its laws through Philippine Maritime Zones Act (Republic Act 12064) and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act (Republic Act 12065), and it has guided National Security Policy (Executive Order No.37) and our National Security Strategy (Memorandum Circular No. 75). (PNA)

(2025/07/15-08:13)

Philippine News Agency: info@pna.gov.ph, pna.subscription2020@yahoo.com