Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday renewed her call to declare July 12 as West Philippine Sea (WPS) Victory Day to commemorate the historic triumph of the Philippines against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in 2016.
“We should celebrate WPS Victory Day every year, not just to remember our 2016 win, but also as a way to assert our just and rightful ownership of the WPS,” she said.
Hontiveros noted that this is also an opportune time to show our biggest aggressor, China, that the Philippines will stand as one in the fight for our sovereignty.
Sen. Grace Poe said the commemoration of our historic victory becomes even more consequential amid China’s belligerent ambitions in the WPS.
The award affirms to the community of nations that rule of law prevails, and that peace and stability can only be attained when founded on rules-based order on the oceans.
Equally important, Poe stressed it upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said the 2016 arbitral ruling is a big victory for our country, indicating to the world that WPS is owned by the Philippines.
Meanwhile, in Hontiveros’ proposed Senate Resolution 674 filed in 2023, she stated that that the PCA ruling held that the Chinese government’s claims to historic rights, or other sovereign rights or jurisdiction, with respect to maritime areas in the WPS encompassed by the so-called “nine-dash line,” were contrary to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS).
The Ruling also made clear that China had breached its obligations with respect to the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its Continental Shelf and EEZ.
“The 2016 victory showed the world that a small country like the Philippines can legally, peacefully, and diplomatically stand up to a big, autocratic country like China,” Hontiveros said
“But Beijing’s continued threats and intimidation despite the Ruling are also a sober reminder to the world that all those who believe in the international, rules-based order must actively come together to safeguard peace and security across the globe,” the Senate Deputy Minority Leader added.
Hontiveros also led the Senate in adopting proposed Senate Resolution 718, which urged the Executive, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, to exhaust all diplomatic means – including going to the United Nations General Assembly – to stop China’s illegal activities in the WPS.
“Politics and diplomacy should take the helm. Not water cannons or military-grade lasers or artificial islands. Celebrating WPS Victory Day is another way to exhibit the Filipino people’s ability to fight and push back with pride and dignity, not with harassment and disrespect,” she said.
“Let us celebrate our WPS Victory Day, so we can scream it to the world every year: West Philippine Sea is ours. The Philippines is ours,” Hontiveros stated.
Earlier this week, the Palawan provincial board approved an ordinance that declares 12 July as “West Philippine Sea Victory Day.”
Palawan Liga ng mga Barangay (League of Villages) President and Board Member Ferdinand Zaballa, who authored the measure, said that the arbitration tribunal’s decision is a “resounding affirmation” of the Philippines’ sovereignty and sovereign rights in the WPS.
Palawan has jurisdiction over a substantial portion of the waters being claimed by China, including the Kalayaan Island Group, where the 5th class Municipality of Kalayaan is located.
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