House Speaker Martin Romualdez reaffirmed to the international community the Philippines’ firm commitment to uphold its sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), highlighting his nation’s position is rooted in international law.
“Our stance on these waters is not merely geographical; it represents our national pride, economic security, and the legacy we wish to pass on to future generations,” he told delegates at the Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea held Wednesday night at the Grand Hyatt Manila Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
During the event, he underscored the need to craft an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Code of Conduct grounded in the broader United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“A unified ASEAN voice is essential in maintaining stability and asserting that our region stands for cooperation—not coercion,” he said.
Romualdez emphasized a peaceful and rules-based approach, citing the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award based on UNCLOS, invalidating China’s unilateral territorial claims.
“This ruling establishes our rights under international law, affirming them as legitimate and recognized. It refutes any claims beyond the bounds of UNCLOS, safeguarding our sovereign rights within our exclusive economic zone,” he stated.
However, Romualdez also acknowledged the continued need for vigilance and action amid escalating provocations in the WPS.
He cited incidents involving the ramming and interference with Philippine vessels and fishermen, calling these actions “unacceptable.”
“As Speaker, I affirm the legislative branch’s commitment to strengthening maritime security. We are enhancing our coast guard, investing in research, and collaborating with regional allies for a free, open, and stable South China Sea,” he emphasized.
Romualdez reiterated the Philippines’ dedication to diplomacy and a peaceful resolution, stressing the importance of international support from partners like the United States, Japan, Australia, and European nations.
During the same international dialogue, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año emphasized that addressing challenges in the WPS not only benefits the Philippines but also other coastal states surrounding the strategic waterway, especially its ASEAN neighbors.
However, he said the challenges in these waters are unlikely to diminish soon, making it more urgent for “like-minded nations” to reaffirm their commitment to forging a set of rules that all stakeholders could follow.
This requires a “sustained commitment to a rule-based order, one where international law, not power dynamics, dictates the rights and responsibilities of the states,” he told delegates without naming the country at the center of regional tensions.
“We face a choice, either uphold a world governed by the rule of law or risk a return to a war governed by power alone. But for us peace-loving nations, the South China Sea should not be an arena of conflict but it must be a sea that springs cooperation and prosperity without sacrificing our sovereignty, sovereign rights, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction,” Año said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy (PN) spotted two Chinese “research vessels” off the east coast of Luzon, apparently evading an ongoing weather disturbance.
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the PN’s spokesperson for the WPS, said the foreign ships were positioned at “about 350 nm [nautical miles] south of the Philippine Rise and 120 nm east of Catuandanes as of yesterday [Wednesday] afternoon.”
The intruders seemed to have entered Philippine territory on Monday, he told reporters in a text message.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Philippines adheres to UNCLOS-based ASEAN Code of Conduct on WPS—Romualdez”
