The Philippines will continue to stand its ground and push back against coercion in the West Philippine Sea, a top security official said on the 8th anniversary of the arbitral ruling on the disputed waters that favored Manila in 2016.
"For the Philippines, notwithstanding the challenges we face, we will continue to stand our ground and push back against coercion, interference, malign influence, and other tactics that seek to jeopardize our security and stability," National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said on Friday, July 12.
Año also emphasized during a conference celebrating the 8th anniversary of the Arbitral Award in Makati City that the adherence to the ruling is not just a fight of the Philippines, calling for a united stance among like-minded countries in upholding the Arbitral ruling.
"I wish to emphasize that the Arbitral Award is a showcase for all countries in the world. The extent to which the international community supports it and seeks to enforce the ruling will have serious consequences for the utility of international law as a tool to ensure the peaceful, stable, and local use of the cease now and in the future," he said.
"Therefore, our call for adherence to the ruling is not just the fight of the Philippines, but the collective struggle of all nations for international peace and stability. It is your fight as much as it is ours," he stressed.
Manila has gained more support
Despite the glaring silence of the previous administration since the arbitral ruling on the South China Sea in 2016, Manila has gained more allies and is now more assertive in affirming its rights in the West Philippine Sea.
Several ambassadors and an international think tank believe that the Philippines have found strong support from the entire Philippine society and international community in its commitment to protect its territory despite the many years of silence from its own government, Stratbase ADR Institute (ADRI) President Victor Andres "Dindo" Manhit said.
"We kept the issue alive despite the glaring and offensive silence of the previous administration. It was us who ensured the award's importance remained at the forefront," Manhit said in his speech during the conference.
"Now, under the new administration, we have found not only a government that champions the award at every turn but an entire Philippine society—including the military, private sector, academe, and civil society—united in upholding the award," Manhit added.
Manhit said that more and more countries have been voicing their support for the Philippines.
"Never before have we experienced such robust support from the international community. As the Philippines faces heightened aggression from China, resulting in numerous instances of casualties and damaged assets, the support of like-minded countries is more crucial than ever," he said.
'More assertive'
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez believes that the country has become more assertive in dealing with China's aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea.
"[T]he Philippines has reinvigorated its efforts to affirm its rights in the West Philippine Sea. As Manila becomes more assertive, as it should rightfully be, China’s aggressive behavior also continues to worsen," Romualdez said.
He said that despite the "escalating tensions exacerbated by Chinese gray zone operations, the Philippines continues to take the moral high ground and exercise restraint."
During the conference, the Filipino ambassador urged government officials, the diplomatic community, academe and civil society organizations, to join the Philippines in fighting the good fight.
"It is the opportune time for us to say enough is enough and create opportunities for cooperation, in accordance with the rule of law," he said.
'Manila—first-rate witness the world should hear'
In his message during the conference, French Ambassador Marie Fontanel reiterated her country's support in upholding the Arbitral Award, saying that the world must hear the Philippines.
"As the 2016 award pointed out, environment protection and the upholding of sovereignty are the two sides of the same token and benefit from each other. In that regard, undoubtedly, the Philippines are a first-rate witness the world should hear more about," Fontanel said.
Other foreign ambassadors present during the event also expressed their support to the Philippines in maintaining the peace and stability in the region.
Canadian Ambassador David Hartman said Canada will "continue to work with the Philippines, as well as with our allies and partners, including here in the ASEAN region, to provide meaningful support to regional peace and security and to uphold the rule of law in the maritime domain."
Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu stated that "Australia is deeply concerned about the illegal boarding and towing of Philippine vessels, seizure of equipment and harm to Philippine personnel, undertaking what is a routine mission to 2nd Thomas Shoal within the Philippines' EEZ."
"This most recent conduct is an escalation in a deeply concerning pattern of behavior by China
that endangers what we talk about today, the important regional peace and stability, which threatens lives and creates risks of miscalculation and escalation," Yu said.
Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya expressed that "Japan is undeterred to fulfill its commitment."
"As Japan and the Philippines are neighboring maritime nations, we have a shared responsibility in upholding and protecting the peace and stability across the region," he said.
For her part, American Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said the United States is proud to be a part of the community that constantly calls out against aggressions.
"We are proud to be among the chorus of nations that have consistently lent their voices to calling out incidents of aggression. The volume of condemnation from the international community is loud and getting louder. And it speaks to our common resolve in support of the international rules and norms that benefit us all," Carlson said.