By Patricia Lourdes Viray
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government stressed that the country will remain "an enemy to none and a friend to all" a year after an international arbitral tribunal issued its ruling on the South China Sea dispute.
On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague, Netherlands issued a landmark ruling invalidating China's nine-dash line claim over the disputed waters.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Duterte administration reaffirmed its commitment to protect the country's territorial claims and maritime entitlements.
The government, however, stressed that the dispute in the West Philippine Sea should be resolved "in a manner consistent with the spirit of good neighbourly relations."
It should be noted that China refused to honor the award and insisted that they have indisputable sovereignty over the region.
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