Manila, July 12 -- The Philippines has emerged as a global convergence hub for upholding international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) following the historic July 12, 2016 Arbitral Award, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said on Sunday.

The defense chief highlighted this on the 10th anniversary of the Arbitral Award, calling it a landmark decision that affirmed the Philippines' rights and entitlements in its exclusive economic zone.

"Given the importance of our location and the fundamental principles of international law we uphold, countries from all over the world have found common cause with us which we channel into purposive action," Teodoro said ...