Malacañang announced on Monday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has firmly placed the 2016 South China Sea arbitral victory back at the forefront of the country’s foreign policy, actively defending the historic decision through international law and diplomatic engagement.
In a press briefing, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the Marcos administration has deliberately shifted away from the strategy of the previous leadership, which she argued marginalized the ruling despite its vital importance to Philippine maritime claims.
“So, totoo naman na ipinaglaban ito sa panahon ni PNoy. Pero sa panahon ni dating Pangulong Duterte, ang arbitral award o ruling ay kinunsidera lamang na simpleng papel na puwedeng itapon sa basurahan,” Castro said.
The Duterte administration had previously drawn heavy criticism for allegedly downplaying the legal victory in favor of building stronger economic ties with Beijing. Castro further claimed that the past government halted the construction of a fisherman’s shelter at Sandy Cay and permitted Chinese ships to patrol the waters unchallenged.
In contrast, Castro emphasized that the current administration remains unwavering in asserting territorial rights while strictly employing peaceful and diplomatic avenues.
“Hindi kasi ganiyan ang polisiya ng ating Pangulo; ipaglaban ang ating karapatan sa diplomatikong pamamaraan,” Castro said.
As an example of this active diplomacy, Castro pointed to the September 2023 removal of a floating barrier deployed by the China Coast Guard near Bajo de Masinloc, an action that successfully allowed local fishermen to return to their traditional waters.
“Hindi nag-atubili ang Pangulo na gawin ang nararapat; hindi nag-provoke ng war; hindi nagkaroon ng kaguluhan, pero ipinaglaban ang karapatan at interes ng ating bansa,” she added.
Reaffirming that protecting national sovereignty does not mean inciting armed conflict, Castro reiterated the government’s commitment to peaceful resolutions.
“Hindi natin gustong maging duwag ang bawat Pilipino para ipaglaban ang karapatan natin, pero hindi tayo nagsasabi na dapat tayong sumulong sa isang giyera. Ang gusto ng Pangulo lagi, diplomatikong pamamaraan,” Castro said.
The Palace released this statement just a day after the Philippines celebrated the 10th anniversary of the landmark 2016 arbitral award, which legally struck down China’s expansive “nine-dash line” claims in the South China Sea.
Speaking to diplomats last Friday, President Marcos rallied Filipinos to continuously stand by the ruling, noting that it secures the nation’s sovereign rights, shields the livelihoods of local fishermen, and proves that maritime conflicts must be settled through international law rather than sheer military or economic dominance.