[Press Release]
On the 8th anniversary of Hague ruling:
ADVOCATES CALL FOR DECLARATION OF JULY 12 AS “WEST PHILIPPINE SEA DAY”

As the nation marks the eighth anniversary of the Philippines’ victory over China at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, more than 200 advocates rallied to call for the annual declaration of July 12 as “West Philippine Sea (WPS) Day.”

The event, organized by Atin Ito, was held at the Boy Scouts Circle in Quezon City. Advocates raised giant banners, Philippine and United Nations (UN) flags, as well as posters to amplify their call. Akbayan President Rafaela David, who is an Atin Ito co-convenor, emphasized that declaring July 12 as “West Philippine Sea Day” would raise awareness about the significance of the historic victory over China.

“It’s been eight years since the country’s momentous victory on the international stage. And we’re here to do more than commemorate. By declaring July 12 of every year as ‘West Philippine Sea Day,’ we strengthen the collective memory of our fellow Filipinos and remind one another that the stakes are very real. The consequences impact our economy, our national security, and the lives of the people that depend on the West Philippine Sea for their livelihood,” David explained.

A year earlier, Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros filed a Senate resolution calling for the annual declaration of July 12 as “National West Philippine Sea Victory Day.” Hontiveros stated that commemorating the Hague Ruling each year would “weaken China’s spurious claims over our own territories.” The senator emphasized that even as China continues to spread misinformation, Filipinos should “not stop telling the truth.”

“Monster ship”

Since the verdict was awarded to the Philippines, China has consistently violated international law and attacked Philippine vessels within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In 2024 alone, Philippine ships have been attacked by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) at least four times, all in apparent efforts to intimidate Philippine ships conducting re-supply missions in the West Philippine Sea. Most recently, the CCG deployed its “monster ship” in Escoda Shoal, about 140 kilometers from mainland Palawan.

Despite persistent harassment, two civilian-led supply missions successfully delivered supplies to Filipinos in the WPS. These missions were organized and led by the Atin Ito Coalition, with Akbayan as a co-convenor. David remarked that China’s actions only reveal its desperation in the face of growing international pushback.

“China is grasping at straws. The fact that the bully needs to send its ‘monster ship’ just shows how insecure it has become. No monster will intimidate us, eclipse the truth or defy international law. We are a nation of monster slayers. And as we have done in the past, so shall we do again. We will stand up to the foreign aggressors of our time and join our fellow Filipinos in asserting what is lawfully ours. The only place for any monster that trespasses in our home is out,” David declared. ###

Photos by Jimmy A Domingo for Mata: Asia Press Photo