The Day UNCLOS Ruled on the South China Sea Dispute | Photo via Facebook
MANILA, PHL – In a statement issued by the U.S. Department of State on the 9th anniversary of the Philippines-China South China Sea Arbitral Ruling, the United States called on China “to abide by the 2016 arbitral ruling and to cease its dangerous and destabilizing conduct.”
The Arbitral Tribunal was constituted under Annex VII of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which China and the Philippines ratified. On July 12, 2016, the Tribunal issued its landmark ruling in favor of the Philippines against China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea.
However, China continues to ignore the ruling, asserting unlawful claims and engaging in aggressive actions in the region. Although the ruling remains a powerful legal precedent and a basis for peaceful dispute resolution, experts say geopolitical realities constrain its practical impact.
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According to Prof. Anna Rosario Malindog-Uy, the 2016 SCS Arbitral Tribunal did not rule on territorial sovereignty. She said, “It did not determine ownership of any land features, such as the Spratly Islands or Scarborough Shoal, claimed by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, or Malaysia. Likewise, it did not draw or delimit maritime boundaries between states. Instead, the ruling focused exclusively on maritime entitlements under UNCLOS.”
Uy added that the “2016 arbitral award was not a ruling on ownership but a legal clarification of maritime rights under UNCLOS. Misrepresenting it as a ‘sovereignty victory’ or a definitive ruling on who owns what land distorts its legal meaning and undermines responsible public discourse.”
The U.S. criticized Beijing’s expansive claims, which directly infringe on the sovereign rights and jurisdictions
of Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, and Indonesia. “This undermines peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” the U.S. asserted. “The United States supports a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The Philippines responded with a mix of gratitude, strategic clarity, and diplomatic resolve to the U.S. statement of support on the South China Sea ruling’s 9th anniversary.
Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro acknowledged the U.S. backing and emphasized that China’s continued rejection of the 2016 Arbitral Award is “worrisome”. She reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to dialogue and consultation with China, despite rising tensions, signaling a preference for diplomacy over escalation.
The DFA also praised the Quad’s statement for spotlighting China’s coercive actions and for reaffirming the importance of international law and maritime rights. The Philippines also welcomed foreign funding and capacity-building initiatives, such as drone support and maritime training from Australia.
The Philippines is actively modernizing its military and coast guard, with support from allies like the U.S., Australia, and Japan. U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson reaffirmed that the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty covers armed attacks on Philippine forces in the South China Sea, reinforcing deterrence
The Quad Foreign Ministers’ joint statement, released on July 1, 2025, in Washington, D.C., is a strong diplomatic signal reaffirming the group’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Quad—Australia, India, Japan, and the United States—expressed grave concern over escalating tensions in the South China Sea and East China Sea.
They strongly opposed unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion, including (a)Interference with offshore resource development; (b) Obstruction of navigation and overflight freedoms; and, (c) Use of water cannons, ramming, and blocking maneuvers by coast guard and maritime militia vessels.
The Quad emphasized support for ASEAN, the Pacific Islands Forum, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association. They raised alarms over economic coercion and the manipulation of critical mineral supply chains, calling for diversification and resilience.
The statement not only reinforces the Quad’s strategic alignment but also amplifies the Philippines’ legal victory and regional concerns.
