On Thursday, May 26, 2022, President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. stated that he will claim the country’s authority to the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). Marcos Jr. stated that his administration will continue to speak with China “with a firm” about the issue. He stated that “as our sovereignty is sacred and we will not compromise it in any way.”

“We have a very important ruling in our favor and we will use it to continue to assert our territorial rights.” It is not a claim. It is already our territorial right ,” he explained.

On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands, decided in favor of the Philippines and dismissed China’s claims inside the nine-dash line, which encompasses more than 90% of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

It also confirmed Filipino fishermen’s customary and lawful fishing rights in the region, but China refused to acknowledge the verdict. Chinese officials have continued to harass Filipino fishermen and military in the Philippines’ maritime seas.

And included the removing permission for Chinese fishermen to fish in the Philippine exclusive economic zone, renouncing Duterte’s claim that China controls the West Philippine Sea, participating in freedom of navigation activities, and performing joint operations with other ASEAN coastal nations.