Cebu joins arbitral award rites

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard District Central Visayas (CGDCV), Philippine-flagged vessels, the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) and other members of the maritime community joined the nationwide "Tunog ng Karagatan" observance on Sunday to mark the 10th anniversary of the landmark 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.

Participating vessels at the Port of Cebu sounded their horns 10 times within one minute in a symbolic display of unity and support for the Philippines' maritime rights under international law.

The observance, themed "A Decade of Law, Not Force," reaffirmed the country's commitment to sovereignty, peace and a rules-based international order a decade after the landmark ruling.

Before the synchronized horn blasts, participating vessels were placed on standby at 9:57 a.m. while monitoring the official countdown through VHF Channel 16. Ships were also encouraged to be dressed in full colors and hoist the Philippine flag.

The July 12, 2016 arbitral ruling, issued by a tribunal constituted under Annex VII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), upheld the Philippines' maritime entitlements in portions of the West Philippine Sea, recognized the country's sovereign rights within its 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone, and affirmed the traditional fishing rights of Filipino fishermen in the waters of Bajo de Masinloc.

The award remains final and legally binding under UNCLOS despite China's refusal to participate in the arbitration proceedings.

Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros called on Filipinos to remember and uphold the country's legal victory under the 2016 Hague Arbitral Award as the nation marked the ruling's 10th anniversary.

In a statement, Hontiveros said the landmark ruling remains a testament to the Philippines' peaceful assertion of its rights under international law, noting that the decision invalidated China's so-called nine-dash line in the South China Sea.

She said the anniversary deserves to be commemorated because China continues to assert claims over territories that are not its own.

Hontiveros also expressed concern over recent claims by some Chinese academics that Batanes belongs to China, describing them as a grave insult to the Ivatan people and to all Filipinos.

She said such statements demonstrate how China's propaganda has become deeply rooted among its own people.

The senator added that China's disinformation campaigns underscore the significance of the arbitral award, saying it serves not only as a historic legal victory but also as a safeguard against false narratives.

Hontiveros urged Filipinos not to forget what she described as the country's peaceful and dignified victory, encouraging the public to take pride in the Philippines' decision to stand for what is right and truthful through international law.

The Philippine Navy also commemorated the anniversary through a West Philippine Sea Forum and a recognition ceremony honoring 85 personnel deployed aboard BRP Sierra Madre in the West Philippine Sea. The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the country's maritime rights in accordance with international law while promoting regional peace and stability. (CEBU NEWS)