President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's South China Sea claims, contrasting it with former President Rodrigo Duterte's dismissal of the decision.

Palace spokesperson Claire Castro highlighted the administration's focus on diplomatic engagement rather than confrontation, emphasizing Marcos' actions to remove Chinese barriers in Scarborough Shoal and uphold the country's rights without escalating tensions.

The 10th anniversary of the ruling saw the Philippines and 13 other nations reaffirm the legal basis of the decision, which was championed during Benigno Aquino III's presidency.

Castro noted that Duterte's administration viewed the ruling as mere paper, but the current administration prioritizes peaceful resolution through dialogue.

The government also stressed the importance of national sovereignty while advocating for regional stability, rejecting the notion of rushing into conflict.This stance reflects a strategic balance between asserting rights and maintaining international cooperation in the South China Sea dispute.