A decade after the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s expansive maritime claims on the South China Sea, Filipino fisherfolk have yet to reap the benefits of the Philippines’ historic legal victory. For fisherfolk leader Fausto Alpay, the arbitral tribunal ruling in favor of the country was merely a “paper victory,” as China retained the upper hand on the West Philippine Sea. Alpay, who serves as the President of the Subic Commercial Fishers Association Inc. (SCOFAI), said China’s hold on the Scarborough Shoal stripped Filipino fishers of their freedom to cast their nets on the contested waters.

Pelonia, A. (2026, July 12). Where do fishers draw from bounty of the sea?. BusinessMirror, pp. A1, A2.