MANILA — Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said China continues to ignore the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated its sweeping claims over the South China Sea.

Speaking at the Paris Defense and Strategy Forum in Paris, France, Teodoro said China has also engaged in “a campaign of misinformation and disinformation” aimed at undermining the arbitral award.

“Activities of China in this sphere are well publicized to the world because of the Transparency Initiative in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea (WPS),” he said. “Yet the People’s Republic of China, upon which this Award is legally binding, not only continues to ignore but is actively waging a campaign of misinformation and disinformation at all levels to nullify it.”

Teodoro noted that the arbitral award will mark its 10th anniversary on July 12. He described it as a “historic award” that reaffirmed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as the primary document defining maritime entitlements.

Despite China’s continued presence in Philippine waters and its attempts to influence domestic and regional narratives, Teodoro emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to defend its rights.

“Yet, my presence here signals the commitment of the Marcos Administration not to waver, but to stay the course for our own people and especially for future generations,” he said.

The Philippines’ 2016 victory in The Hague declared China’s nine-dash line claims as having no legal basis, a decision that remains unrecognized by Beijing, prompting repeated calls from both international stakeholders and Filipino officials for full compliance with international law.