Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. welcomed the Cebu City Council's decision to declare July 12 of every year as "West Philippine Sea Victory Day," calling the 2016 Arbitral Award a victory that the country should continue to uphold.

In a statement, Teodoro said the local measure reinforces support for the country’s rights in the disputed waters.

“We laud the Cebu City Council's unanimous approval of a resolution declaring July 12 of every year as 'West Philippine Sea Victory Day.' The 2016 Arbitral Award was indeed a victory which our country should embrace and fight to enforce,” Teodoro said.

The Cebu City Council unanimously approved a resolution authored by Councilor Paul Labra declaring July 12 as an annual observance to commemorate the landmark ruling issued by an international arbitral tribunal in favor of the Philippines.

The resolution sought to reaffirm support for the country’s sovereign rights and maritime jurisdiction in the WPS. It also highlighted the need to protect the traditional fishing grounds of Filipino fisherfolk and promote public awareness of the significance of the 2016 Arbitral Award.

The measure aims to encourage patriotism, strengthen national unity, and foster respect for international law through education and annual observance of the ruling.

The arbitral ruling, issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on July 12, 2016, invalidated China's sweeping claims over much of the South China Sea under its so-called nine-dash line. The tribunal ruled that Beijing's claims had no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

China has rejected the ruling and continues to assert its claims while Manila has consistently maintained that the award is final and legally binding under international law and has repeatedly called for its recognition and implementation.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported on Tuesday, June 30, the continued presence of Chinese vessels in key maritime features in the WPS.

As of the latest AFP monitoring, there were 29 China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and 15 People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships, or a total of 44 Chinese vessels, that were monitored in key features in the WPS from June 23 to 29.

The largest concentration was monitored at Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) with 18 CCG vessels and nine PLAN warships. Eight CCG vessels and one PLAN warship were monitored at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

Escoda (Sabina) Shoal had two CCG vessels and two PLAN warships while near Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, the AFP monitored one CCG vessel and three PLAN warships.