The arbitral award on the South China Sea granted to the Philippines in 2016 was a testament to the power of “right over might,” the National Maritime Council (NMC) said.

“The Philippines commemorates with the international community the 9th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea. It is a testament to the power of right over might and the rules-based order in the maritime domain,” the NMC said in a statement.

It added that the award “remains a guiding light for nations large and small that the rule of law must be respected, and that coercion, aggression, and unlawful expansion have no place in the modern and civilized world.”

The agency reiterated that the award is binding, final, and cannot be erased or diminished. It is also beyond the reproach of politics, it added.

“It is now an undeniable part of the body of international law,” NMC said.

The Philippines, NMC further said, will continue to confront illegal and coercive actions in the West Philippine Sea.

It will assert its maritime rights with clarity and resolve through a sustained presence, strategic communication, the promotion of international law, capability-building, and stronger partnerships with like-minded nations, it added.

The NMC also reaffirmed the country will keep asserting its rights through peaceful, lawful, and rules-based means.

“It will continue to promote diplomacy and consultation, while safeguarding national sovereignty and maritime integrity,” NMC said.

The council also called on all Filipinos to continue to rally around the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.

“We call on all Filipinos to continue to rally around the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award as we uphold its value and importance as the cornerstone upon which we uphold our country’s maritime rights and entitlements, and protect our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in our maritime zones, particularly in the West Philippine Sea,” the council said.