Manila, July 12 -- Ten years after the Philippines scored a landmark legal victory against China, the National Maritime Council (NMC) on Sunday said the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling remains the country's strongest legal foundation for defending its rights in the West Philippine Sea, as it urged continued adherence to international law amid persistent tensions in the disputed waters.

Marking the 10th anniversary of the July 12, 2016 arbitral award, the NMC said the ruling continues to guide the Philippines' maritime policy and diplomacy, affirming the country's sovereign rights and maritime entitlements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

"The 2016 Arbitral Award is not merely a legal victory. It ...