Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo welcomed the "growing number" of countries backing the Philippines' position on the West Philippine Sea as Manila commemorated on Wednesday, July 12, the 7th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea. Manalo's observation came as several nations—including the United States, United Kingdom, India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Romania, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden—have openly supported the Philippines' territorial integrity over the water that is being unilaterally and illegally claimed by China. In a statement, the country's top diplomat asserted that the award already "settled the status of historic rights and maritime entitlements in the South China Sea." The award also "declared without legal effect claims that exceed entitlements geographical and substantive limits set" by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Manalo added. The arbitral ruling issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on July 12, 2016 rejected China's claim, on the basis of its historic "nine-dash line," over the West Philippine Sea, and affirmed the Philippines' position over the water that is part of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) based on UNCLOS. "The award has since facilitated the plotting of new paths and trajectories, reflecting the rich maritime heritage of our country and our people, firm in the conviction that our rights over our maritime jurisdictions are indisputable," Manalo said. Manalo said the Philippines is honored that the award is now standing "as a beacon whose guiding light serves all nations." He also took pride in the "path of principle" that the country took when it decided to file a case for arbitration against China to peacefully settle the dispute. "It is a settled landmark and a definitive contribution to the progressive development of international law. It is ours as much as it is the world's," he said. "Just as lighthouses aid vessels in navigating the seas, the Award will continue to illuminate the path for all who strive towards not just the peaceful resolution of disputes but also the maintenance of a rules-based international order," he added. Manalo said the Philippines "will continue to translate" the positive outcomes of the award into positive gains for the sake of the Filipino people as well as to secure legitimate interests in maritime domain, and to promote peace, security and prosperity in our region.