President Rodrigo Roa Duterte underscored the importance of the 2016 Arbitral Ruling before the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The National Task Force on West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) has always been consistent in invoking Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights over West Philippine Sea.

On its part, Department of Foreign Affairs, has earlier filed an appropriate diplomatic protest against China and summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian over the Julian Felipe Reef situation.

The presence of Philippine maritime security and law enforcement forces have been stepped up in the municipality of Kalayaan to protect Filipino fishermen and the marine resources.