National Security Adviser (NSA) Secretary Eduardo Año slammed China’s 10-dash line that now includes self-governing Taiwan and most of the West Philippine Sea, and reiterated the 2016 arbitral award as “final and binding.”

National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año speaks to reporters during a media briefing in Malacañang on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. (RTVM screenshot)

“First of all, we do not recognize 10-dash line. We do not even recognize the nine-dash line much more the 10-dash line,” he said during a press conference in Malacañang on Thursday, Aug. 31.

He stressed that “a lot of countries”—India and Malaysia—have already “adversely reacted” to the 10-dash line, and he expects more to come out against it.

On Aug. 28, state-run website China Daily said that China’s Ministry of Natural Resources released a new image the 2023 edition of its standard map.

The new dash added to the traditional nine-dash line now covers the eastern section of the democratic island of Taiwan, as well as the entire Spratly Islands, which include the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).

Año reiterated that the 2016 arbitral award “is final and binding and it gives us our maritime entitlement,” covering the Philippines’ extended economic zone, territorial waters, and extended continental shelf.

He was referring to the arbitral victory when the Philippines challenged the then nine-dash line drawn by China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

But amid these new Chinese aggressive moves, including firing a water cannon at a Philippine ship a few weeks ago, the official assured the protection of the country’s territory.

“And we will continue to protect our territorial integrity and our national sovereignty. Our armed forces, our uniformed services, our government will do everything in its capacity to ensure that we are protecting our national interest,” he added.