National Maritime Council

30/07/2026

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL ON THE MISREPRESENTATION OF THE PROVISIONAL UNDERSTANDING ON AYUNGIN SHOAL

Manila, Philippines | 30 July 2026

The National Maritime Council (NMC) firmly rejects statements by the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China regarding the Philippines’ lawful activities in Ayungin Shoal and the Provisional Understanding for Rotation and Resupply to BRP Sierra Madre.

Such assertions misrepresent both the Philippines’ sovereign rights over Ayungin Shoal and the purpose and the scope of the Provisional Understanding.

The Provisional Understanding is a practical arrangement to facilitate lawful and safe Rotation and Resupply (RORE) missions to BRP Sierra Madre and to reduce the risk of incidents at sea. It is not an instrument that grants any country the authority to approve, regulate, inspect or restrict Philippine activities at Ayungin Shoal, a low-tide elevation that forms part of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf of the Philippines, in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the final and binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.

There is no requirement for the Philippines to seek permission before undertaking lawful activities in its own EEZ under international law. There is likewise no agreement nor arrangement that has altered or diminished the sovereign rights that the Philippines exercises over Ayungin Shoal.

Equally unacceptable is any attempt to invoke the Provisional Understanding or blame the Philippines’ lawful activities in Ayungin Shoal to justify coercive or violent actions against Philippine personnel. Confidence-building measures exist to prevent incidents—not to rationalize actions that increase tensions or endanger lives.

The National Maritime Council calls on China to refrain from statements and actions that undermine efforts to maintain peace and stability in the West Philippine Sea. Constructive dialogue must be anchored in mutual respect, good faith, and adherence to international law.

The Philippines remains committed to resolving differences peacefully while steadfastly protecting its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, consistent with international law and the policy of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to pursue peace, stability, and a rules-based maritime order. (END

X: https://x.com/NMCPhil

27/07/2026

Sa pagtatapos ng kanyang ikalimang SONA, nanawagan si PBBM para sa pagkakaisa sa pagtatanggol ng dangal ng sambayanang Pilipino.

Muli niyang tiniyak na patuloy na itataguyod ng pamahalaan ang 2016 Arbitral Award at ang mga karapatan ng Pilipinas sa ilalim ng UNCLOS.

17/07/2026

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL ON THE DEROGATORY VIDEO PUBLISHED BY CHINA DAILY

Manila, Philippines | July 17, 2026

The National Maritime Council condemns the publication of a derogatory video by China Daily, a state-owned and state-run media organization, depicting Filipinos through demeaning and racist imagery. Such content falls far short of the standards of responsible and ethical journalism.

The Philippines has consistently chosen the path of diplomacy, dialogue, and adherence to international law. Attempts to substitute reasoned discourse with ridicule neither strengthen legal claims nor clarify issues. Instead, they erode trust, inflame public sentiment, and undermine constructive engagement necessary for achieving peace and stability.

The Philippines' position on its maritime rights and entitlements in the West Philippine Sea remains clear, principled, and unwavering. It is anchored on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the final and binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award. These legal realities cannot be altered by propaganda, disinformation, or offensive portrayals.

The National Maritime Council fully supports the statements issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of National Defense. We likewise call on all states and state-affiliated institutions to exercise responsibility in public communication, reject rhetoric that fosters discrimination, prejudice, and hostility, and instead promote dialogue founded on mutual respect, dignity, and the rule of law.

The National Maritime Council reaffirms that the Philippines will continue to pursue peace with principle, exercise restraint with resolve, and meet provocation not with hostility, but with confidence grounded in law, truth, and the enduring values of the Filipino people. (END)

17/07/2026

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 2016 SOUTH CHINA SEA ARBITRAL AWARD

Manila, Philippines | July 17, 2026

The Philippines welcomes the strong expressions of support from the international community, marking the Tenth Anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, including the Joint Statement of fourteen partner countries and the public statements of the European Union and India reaffirming the importance of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the rules-based international order.

These statements reaffirm that respect for international law remains the strongest foundation for peace, stability, security, and prosperity in the South China Sea and the wider Indo-Pacific. Ten years after it was rendered, the Arbitral Award remains final and legally binding on the parties under UNCLOS and continues to guide the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes.

The broad international support underscores that the rule of law at sea is not merely a Philippine interest but a global one. Safe, secure, and open seas are essential to international trade, food and energy security, and sustainable development. For the Philippines, the Award also safeguards the livelihood of Filipino fisherfolk, strengthens coastal communities, and protects the marine resources that future generations will depend on.

We likewise note China's continued rejection of the Award. While States may hold differing views, the Award's legal status remains unchanged. The Philippines will continue to uphold international law, pursue dialogue and diplomacy, and protect its sovereignty, sovereign rights, maritime entitlements, and jurisdiction through peaceful means, consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s foreign policy of being a friend to all and an enemy to none.

The issue before the international community is not about choosing sides, but about upholding internationally agreed rules over coercion. As we commemorate this milestone, the Philippines calls on all States to uphold UNCLOS, exercise restraint, resolve differences peacefully, and work together to preserve the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability, cooperation, and shared prosperity.

Ten years after the Award, its enduring message remains clear: lasting peace is secured when nations choose dialogue over coercion and law over force. (END)

12/07/2026

| 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯. 𝘛𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘰, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘥. 🌊

On 𝟏𝟐 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟔, the Arbitral Tribunal handed down its 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝗮 𝗔𝗿𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 case between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China. The final and binding Award invalidated China’s historic rights claim within its “nine-dash line” and affirmed the Philippines’ maritime rights and entitlements under international law.

The 2016 Arbitral Award is a victory for every Filipino; it is for the fisherfolk who deserve to fish safely and peacefully to sustain their families and live with dignity. It is also for Filipinos living in coastal communities whose livelihoods depend on a healthy and sustainable ocean. Overall, the Award is a victory that safeguards the lives, livelihoods, and future of generations of Filipinos.

The Award also stands as a guidepost for the international community; it provides them a legal foundation to reject claims and assertions that run contrary to the 1982 UNCLOS. Advisory opinions from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) have since reinforced the Award’s legitimacy and finality. It is indisputable that the 2016 Arbitral Award forms part of the corpus of international law.

The Award reaffirms that disputes between states are best resolved peacefully through law, not through coercion.

The Foreign Service Institute joins the Filipino nation in celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Arbitral Award. We honor every Filipino who has dedicated their lives to defending, upholding, and advocating for what is right and just and for what is truthful in our maritime domain. As the research and training institution attached to the DFA, FSI strives to deepen understanding of the Philippines’ maritime and archipelagic identity through the diplomats it trains and the research it produces.

May this milestone reinvigorate our national resolve and reassure the world that international law remains the great equalizer, where right triumphs over might. Ten years ago, the Philippines pushed back against naked aggression, and an empowered Philippine diplomacy pushes forward still.

Let this anniversary remind us to stay ever vigilant to protect our national interest and the global norms that allow us to defend our sovereignty and sovereign rights without resort to force. 🌏✨⚖️

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! 🇵🇭

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12/07/2026

| Matatag ang paninindigan ng Pilipinas sa pagtataguyod ng kapayapaan na nakabatay sa batas, diyalogo, at paggalang sa pambansang soberanya. Sa gitna ng mga usaping may kinalaman sa West Philippine Sea, muling binigyang-diin ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa at responsableng pagkilos upang mapangalagaan ang kinabukasan ng bansa at ng mga susunod na salinlahi.

12/07/2026

12/07/2026

𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗗𝗘𝗞𝗔𝗗𝗔 𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗚 𝗡𝗔 𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗡

Patuloy na isinusulong ng Pilipinas ang isang kinabukasang nakabatay sa batas, kapayapaan, at responsableng pangangasiwa sa karagatan. Sa paglipas ng isang dekada, nananatiling inspirasyon ang pagkakaisa at matatag na paninindigan sa pagsusulong ng pambansang interes para sa susunod na henerasyon.

12/07/2026

"A Decade of Principle: The Arbitral Award and the Filipino Story"

On 12 July 2026, the Philippines marks the tenth anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a milestone that has become part of our national story.

Anniversaries invite us not only to remember the past but also to reflect on who we are and the future we seek to build together.

More than a decade ago, in January 2013, the Philippines made a defining choice. Faced with complex maritime challenges, our country turned to international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes. It was a choice rooted in the conviction that what is right should never depend on the size of a nation or the strength of its military, but on the enduring principles of justice and the rule of law.

That choice led to the landmark Award issued by the Arbitral Tribunal on 12 July 2016. The Tribunal authoritatively clarified important principles under UNCLOS and affirmed that maritime rights and entitlements are governed by international law.

For the international community, the Award serves as a powerful affirmation that disputes can be addressed through lawful and peaceful means, and that international law protects the rights of all States, large and small alike. For Filipinos, however, the Award means something even more profound. It is about the fisherfolk who depend on the sea to provide for their family. It is about coastal communities whose future relies on healthy seas and sustainable resources. It is about our men in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), other maritime law enforcement agencies, scientists, educators, and public servants who dedicate themselves to safeguarding our maritime domain. Above all, it is about every Filipino who believes that our nation should pursue its rightful interests with dignity, responsibility, and peace.

As a maritime and archipelagic nation, the sea has always shaped our history and identity. It connects our islands, sustains our livelihoods, strengthens our economy, and links us to the world. Protecting our maritime rights is, therefore, not merely about defending what is ours. It is about securing opportunities for future generations and preserving a heritage entrusted to our care.

The tenth anniversary of the Arbitral Award also serves as a reminder that this milestone and its legacy belong to every Filipino. It does not belong to any administration, institution, or political party. It belongs to us all, as we strive to do our best to ensure that our youth and all future generations inherit not just the responsibilities but the benefits as well of being citizens of a great maritime nation.

The Philippines remains steadfast in advancing a maritime future anchored on international law, responsible stewardship of our seas, and constructive engagement with all nations. We will continue to champion dialogue over discord, cooperation over conflict, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.

As we commemorate this historic milestone, let us look beyond the Award itself and embrace what it represents. Let it remind us that the Philippines is strongest when we stand together, confident in our principles, united in our purpose, and committed to the peaceful pursuit of our national interests.

Ten years ago, the Arbitral Award affirmed important legal principles. More enduringly, it affirmed something about the Filipino people: that ours is a nation prepared to stand for what is right with courage, confidence, and conviction.

That lesson remains as relevant today as it was a decade ago.

May this anniversary renew our pride as a maritime and an archipelagic nation, deepen our appreciation of the seas that sustain us, and inspire every Filipino to become a steward of our shared maritime heritage.

For the story of the Arbitral Award is ultimately the Filipino story, a story of resilience, unity, and faith that the rule of law remains the surest path to a just, peaceful, and prosperous future.

That is the legacy we celebrate today.

And that is the legacy we must carry forward… together!

- The National Maritime Council

10/07/2026

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL ON CHINA’S BALLISTIC MISSILE LAUNCH INTO THE PACIFIC OCEAN

Manila, Philippines | July 10, 2026

The National Maritime Council (NMC) notes with concern China's launch of an unarmed ballistic missile from a chinese submarine into the Pacific Ocean as part of its alleged military exercise.

While the Philippine Government received prior notification of the activity through appropriate channels, the launch nonetheless highlights the importance of transparency, restraint, and responsible conduct in conducting military activities with regional implications. Confidence-building measures and adherence to international norms remain essential in preventing miscalculation, reducing strategic risks, and preserving peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

As a maritime and archipelagic nation located at the crossroads of critical sea lines of communication, the Philippines has vital interests in maintaining a secure, stable, and predictable regional environment. Actions that have the potential to heighten tensions or generate uncertainty underscore the need for all states to exercise prudence and to conduct their activities in a manner that promotes mutual trust and regional security.

The Philippines joins the call for all relevant parties to exercise restraint, promote transparency, conduct their activities in accordance with international law and established international norms, and refrain from actions that may heighten miscommunication, misunderstanding, or regional tensions. These principles are indispensable to preserving an open, secure, and rules-based maritime order that benefits all nations.

The Philippines remains steadfast in pursuing its independent foreign policy—being a friend to all and an enemy to none—while resolutely protecting its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. We will continue to work with regional and international partners in advancing dialogue, confidence-building, and the peaceful resolution of differences, consistent with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The National Maritime Council will continue to coordinate closely with relevant government agencies in monitoring developments and assessing their implications for Philippine maritime security, national interests, and regional stability. (END)