NATIONAL Security Adviser Eduardo Año underscored the Philippines’ commitment to uphold a rules-based maritime order in one of the world’s most contested and strategically vital waterways.
In his address at the Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea (SCS) Wednesday night, Año reaffirmed the Philippines’ unwavering stance on protecting its territorial integrity in the South China Sea.
He said that the challenges in the SCS were not exclusive to the Philippines but were of global concern, affecting regional stability, commerce and international law.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año
The Manila Dialogue brought together experts, policymakers and international stakeholders to discuss the growing challenges in the SCS, with a focus on peace, stability and sustainable management of the region’s vast natural resources.
“The South China Sea is a vital international waterway, essential for commerce, security, and cooperation,” Año said. “For us, territorial integrity is foundational, and this commitment extends not just to the Philippines but to all nations whose territories are threatened.”
He highlighted the interconnectedness of the Philippines’ maritime interests with the broader Indo-Pacific region.
He said that the Philippines, along with other claimant states and coastal nations, has a shared responsibility to steward the resources in the SCS, ensuring their sustainable use for future generations.
Año called for a collective effort to reject actions that threaten the sustainable management of SCS resources or compromise the livelihoods of coastal communities.
He emphasized that maintaining peace and stability in the region is essential for fostering an environment of cooperation and prosperity.
However, this vision could only be realized if nations uphold a rules-based order, where international law — not power politics — dictates the rights and responsibilities of states.
“We face a choice: either we uphold a world governed by the rule of law or risk a return to a world governed by power alone,” he said, warning that any deviation from the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) could have disastrous consequences for the region and the world.
Año also reinforced the Philippines’ commitment to peace, saying that the South China Sea should not be seen as an arena for conflict but as a space that springs cooperation and prosperity.
“This dialogue is not just a forum for discussion; it is a vital arena for reinforcing our collective stance, recommitting to a common understanding, and reaffirming the principles enshrined in Unclos,” he said. “Our goal is to navigate the complexities of maritime challenges and transform the South China Sea into a model of collaboration that benefits not only our region but the whole world.”
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