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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP urges more LGUs to declare July 12 as 'West Philippine Sea Victory Day'

AFP urges more LGUs to declare July 12 as 'West Philippine Sea Victory Day'

Published Jul 4, 2026 06:52 am  |  Updated Jul 4, 2026 01:53 pm

At A Glance

  • The Armed Forces of the Philippines urged more local government units to declare July 12 as "West Philippine Sea Victory Day," following similar declarations by Cebu City and Labrador, Pangasinan.
  • The military said the local initiatives reinforce the Philippines' legal victory in the 2016 arbitral ruling and honor maritime frontliners while promoting patriotism and national unity.
  • July 12 marks the anniversary of the Hague tribunal's ruling that invalidated China's "nine-dash line" claim and affirmed the Philippines' sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea under UNCLOS.
Participating vessels from the Philippines and United States conduct a division tactics exercise by performing a diamond formation, led by BRP Antonio Luna (FFG15), during the Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity held on June 27, 2026 near Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
Participating vessels from the Philippines and United States conduct a division tactics exercise by performing a diamond formation, led by BRP Antonio Luna (FFG15), during the Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity held on June 27, 2026 near Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday, July 4, called on more local government units (LGUs) to declare July 12 as “West Philippine Sea (WPS) Victory Day” following similar moves by Cebu City and Labrador, Pangasinan to commemorate the country's 2016 arbitral victory.
Retired admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for WPS, said the military supports the initiatives by Cebu City and Labrador, Pangasinan, saying they strengthen public appreciation of the Philippines' legal victory over China's sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea.
“The AFP stands in solidarity with the people of Cebu City and the municipality of Labrador, Pangasinan for their patriotic initiatives in officially declaring July 12 as ‘West Philippine Sea Victory Day,’” Trinidad said.
Last month, Cebu City approved a resolution declaring July 12 as "West Philippine Sea Victory Day" and urged Congress to institutionalize the observance nationwide. Labrador, Pangasinan followed by issuing Executive Order No. 41, which also designated July 12 as an annual commemoration and directed schools to hold activities highlighting the significance of the arbitral ruling.
“By institutionalizing this historic milestone, these local government units have reinforced our country's legal and moral triumph in the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Award,” Trinidad said.
He added that the declarations honor Filipino personnel safeguarding the country's maritime interests.
“This commendable action not only honors the courage of our maritime frontliners but also ignites a deeper sense of national pride and unity among our citizens,” he said.
The July 12 observance marks the anniversary of the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The tribunal invalidated China's "nine-dash line" claim and affirmed the Philippines' sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone, including areas in the WPS.
While the arbitral tribunal has no enforcement power, the ruling remains the legal basis cited by the Philippines in asserting its maritime rights under international law.
Trinidad said the AFP hopes more local governments will adopt similar measures.
“As protectors of our sovereignty, the AFP strongly encourages other LGUs across our archipelago to follow this nationalistic example,” he said.
“Let us unite as one nation in safeguarding our maritime heritage. By standing firmly together, we send a clear, unyielding message: our seas are a part of our identity, our livelihood, and our future,” he added.

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Armed Forces of the Philippines West Philippine Sea Victory Day China
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