Manila is intensifying its call for international support in the longstanding South China Sea dispute, with a new House Resolution urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to bring a measure before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The resolution, filed by 17 lawmakers on August 27, demands that China adhere to the 2016 arbitral ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which invalidated Beijing’s expansive claims in the region. This move comes as tensions escalate with increased Chinese military activity in Philippine waters, raising concerns over sovereignty and regional stability in one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
A Call for Global Backing
The resolution, co-authored by members of the Liberal Party, Akbayan Party-list, and representatives from both majority and minority blocs in the Philippine House of Representatives, seeks to rally international support for Manila’s position. While UNGA resolutions are non-binding, they carry significant weight as formal expressions of global opinion. The lawmakers argue that stronger action is needed to defend the West Philippine Sea—a term used by Manila to refer to its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea—and to counter what they describe as China’s hostile actions in the area.
Representative Leila de Lima of the ML Party-list emphasized the importance of international solidarity. “Rather than letting the situation worsen and worsen, we aim to gain more support from the international community. We know many countries are with us in this fight because international law is on our side” she said on August 27. Her statement reflects a growing frustration among Philippine officials over Beijing’s refusal to acknowledge the 2016 ruling, which found China’s so-called nine-dash line—a demarcation claiming vast swathes of the South China Sea—lacking any legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 
The resolution also signals Manila’s intent to escalate diplomatic efforts. Rep. Chel Diokno of Akbayan Party-list urged the executive department to consider rejoining the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). “So, we also call on our executive department to return to the ICC” Diokno stated, arguing that ICC membership could enable the Philippines to pursue legal action against acts of aggression within its territory. This suggestion underscores the broader implications of the maritime dispute, linking it to issues of international justice and accountability.
Escalating Tensions in Disputed Waters
The push for UN action coincides with a surge in Chinese activity within the Philippines’ EEZ, particularly around contested areas like Ayungin Shoal and Scarborough Shoal. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported the presence of approximately 20 Chinese vessels near Ayungin Shoal over a recent weekend, with some closing in on the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded warship serving as Manila’s outpost in the area. Monitored activities included aggressive maneuvers such as water cannon use, displays of mounted weapons, and surveillance by Chinese boats, aircraft, and drones.
Earlier incidents this month further heightened tensions. In August, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel collided with a warship while pursuing a Philippine Coast Guard vessel near Scarborough Shoal, an area long disputed between the two nations. Such encounters have become increasingly frequent, with China often deploying coast guard, research, and militia ships into Philippine waters, reportedly harassing local fishermen and vessels. These actions have fueled public and governmental outrage in Manila, prompting calls for a more assertive stance.
Adding to the complexity, concerns are mounting over Beijing’s intentions toward Batanes, the northernmost province of the Philippines. Analysts have noted a spike in Chinese social media narratives claiming historical ownership of the Batanes islands, including Y’Ami, Sabtang, and Batan. Posts circulating online suggest that the islands were illegally occupied by the Philippine government in 1946 during China’s civil war and should be returned. While these claims lack historical or legal grounding under international law, they risk influencing public opinion and complicating Manila’s security strategies in the region.
China’s Stance and Regional Implications
Beijing has remained defiant in the face of international criticism, maintaining that the South China Sea, including areas within the Philippines’ EEZ, falls under its sovereignty through the nine-dash line, recently expanded to a ten-dash line in some claims. Chinese officials have repeatedly asserted their readiness to defend what they consider their territory at all costs, though no immediate comment was issued regarding the latest Philippine resolution. Historically, China has dismissed the 2016 arbitral ruling, with a 2024 statement from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines describing the UNCLOS decision as “essentially a political circus dressed up as a legal action.”
The South China Sea is not only a flashpoint between Manila and Beijing but also a region of overlapping claims involving Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. As a vital global trade route, it sees trillions of dollars in commerce pass through annually, making stability in the area a priority for many nations. The United States, while not a claimant, has supported the Philippines through joint military exercises and patrols, further complicating the geopolitical landscape. Recent interceptions of Philippine military aircraft by Chinese fighter jets from artificial island bases highlight the growing militarization of the dispute, with Manila considering deploying fighter escorts for its own planes.
Historical Context and Legal Precedent
The 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration marked a significant victory for the Philippines, which had filed the case in 2013 to challenge China’s expansive claims. The tribunal concluded that Beijing’s nine-dash line had no basis under international law and affirmed Manila’s rights within its 200-nautical-mile EEZ. However, China rejected the decision outright, refusing to participate in the proceedings and continuing to assert control over disputed features through physical presence and infrastructure development, including the construction of artificial islands equipped with military facilities.
Since the ruling, tensions have flared periodically, with 2023 seeing near-monthly clashes between Philippine and Chinese vessels. A particularly violent encounter in 2024 at Second Thomas Shoal, also known as Ayungin Shoal, underscored the risks of escalation. The Philippine government has sought to balance diplomatic engagement with a more visible military posture, including joint patrols with allies like the United States. Yet, without broader international enforcement of the arbitral ruling, Manila’s options remain limited.
Domestic and International Next Steps
Domestically, the House Resolution is seen as a step toward unifying political factions in the Philippines around a common cause. Rep. de Lima expressed hope that the Senate would adopt a similar measure, urging the Department of Foreign Affairs to act swiftly in filing a UNGA resolution. Such a move could galvanize support from other nations, particularly those with shared interests in maintaining freedom of navigation and adherence to international law in the South China Sea.
Internationally, the resolution’s impact will depend on the willingness of other UN member states to back Manila’s position. While countries like the United States, Japan, and Australia have historically supported the Philippines on this issue, securing a broad coalition at the UNGA remains a challenge. China’s veto power as a permanent member of the UN Security Council means that any binding action is unlikely, but a UNGA resolution could still serve as a powerful symbolic statement.
The proposal to rejoin the ICC, as suggested by Rep. Diokno, adds another layer to the debate. The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019 under former President Rodrigo Duterte, citing concerns over sovereignty and bias. Rejoining could provide a mechanism to address alleged acts of aggression in the South China Sea, though it would likely provoke a strong reaction from Beijing and further strain bilateral relations.
A Path Forward Amid Uncertainty
As the Philippines navigates this complex maritime dispute, the balance between diplomacy and defense remains delicate. The House Resolution reflects a growing consensus in Manila that stronger international action is necessary to counter China’s assertiveness. Yet, with tensions rising and military encounters becoming more frequent, the risk of miscalculation looms large. Joint patrols and alliances with foreign powers offer some reassurance, but they also heighten the stakes in an already volatile region.
For now, the focus shifts to whether Manila can translate domestic resolve into global support at the United Nations. As the South China Sea continues to be a geopolitical hotspot, the outcome of this push for a UNGA resolution could shape not only the Philippines’ future but also the broader framework of international maritime law. What remains clear is that without concerted action, the waters of the West Philippine Sea will likely remain a battleground for competing claims and interests.
