On the fourth anniversary of the South China Sea ruling, the Philippines yesterday stressed that the unanimous award in favor of Manila is “non-negotiable” and that there is no possibility of “compromise or change.” This was declared by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., who was referring to The Hague-based International Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling on July 12, 2016 favoring the Philippines’ claim over parts of the South China Sea. Locsin said certain actions of China within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone “violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights and were thus unlawful.”

Lee-Brago, P., & Marcelo, E. (2020, July 13). Phl says SCS ruling 'non-negotiable'. The Philippine Star, p. 2.