Our Philippine archipelago, which is a tapestry of islands woven together by the vast expanse of the West Philippine Sea, is not merely a geographical entity. It is the cradle of our history, the source of our sustenance, and the embodiment of our national identity. 

Yet, this maritime heritage, this lifeline of our nation, is under relentless assault. The bullying tactics of the Chinese government against Philippine government vessels in the West Philippine Sea are not merely a diplomatic spat; they are a blatant disregard for international law and a threat to the very fabric of our national sovereignty.

Don’t get me wrong. We have no quarrel with the 1.5 billion Chinese in mainland China and elsewhere all over the world. Our perceived nemesis is the Chinese Communist Government of the People’s Republic of China which has been using “gunboat diplomacy” to wrest from us Filipinos our Exclusive Economic Zone as guaranteed by the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea promulgated by the United Nations in 1982.

As I see it, this is not just a matter for diplomats and politicians to negotiate. This is a call to action for every Filipino. We must be aware. We must be assertive. And we must be united in defending our rightful claim to our maritime domain.

The 2016 Arbitral Award, a landmark victory for the Philippines, unequivocally affirmed our sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea. This legal framework, grounded in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is not a mere piece of paper as alleged by a former President of the Philippines and adopted by China. It is actually a testament to our unwavering commitment to international law and a beacon of hope for a peaceful and just world order.

But this victory is not a mere legal technicality. It is rooted in history, in the very fabric of our nationhood. The Fr. Murillo Velarde map of 1734, a testament to our early cartographic prowess, clearly delineates the boundaries of our archipelago, including the vast expanse of the West Philippine Sea. This historical evidence, coupled with the Treaty of Paris in 1898 and the Treaty of Washington in 1900, solidifies our legal and historical claim to this vital maritime territory.

We must understand that the West Philippine Sea is not just a strategic asset. It is the lifeblood of our nation. It is home to rich marine biodiversity, a source of food for millions of Filipinos, and a vital pathway for international trade. The Chinese government’s aggressive actions, including the harassment of Filipino fishermen and the construction of artificial islands, are not only a violation of our territorial integrity but also a direct threat to the livelihoods and well-being of our people, especially those at the fringes of society, like the fisherfolk who depend on the aquamarine resources within our exclusive economic zone.

This is not a time for complacency. This is a time for unity, for patriotism, and for rational nationalism. We must stand together as one nation, united in our resolve to defend our maritime heritage and uphold the dignity of every Filipino.

But I just want to be emphatic on the point that this call to action is not about militarism or aggression. But rather this is about asserting our rights, upholding our national interests, and ensuring a secure and prosperous future for generations to come. 

This is about embracing the spirit of “Bayanihan,” the Filipino spirit of communal cooperation and shared responsibility, in safeguarding our national patrimony.

We must educate ourselves on the intricacies of international law, the historical basis of our claims, and the geopolitical realities within the Indo-Pacific region. We must engage in constructive dialogue and advocate for our rights through peaceful and diplomatic means.  We must support our government in its efforts to uphold our sovereignty and protect our national interests.

This is not just a battle for territory. This is a battle for the soul of our nation, a battle for the future of our children and grandchildren. Let us rise to this challenge with courage, with conviction, and with an unwavering belief in the strength and resilience of the Filipino spirit. 

Let us reclaim our maritime heritage, uphold our national dignity, and ensure that the West Philippine Sea, our shared treasure, remains a beacon of hope and prosperity for generations to come.

Header photo from the article “Legal Victory for the Philippines against China: A Case Study”, February 2017, globalchallengers.ch. Caption: Chinese dredging vessels seen in the waters around Mischief Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.