PH rejects ‘troublemaker’ tag, defends Arbitral Award at Beijing forum

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Philippine embassy in China has rejected accusations that the Philippines is a “troublemaker” in the South China Sea, defending the 2016 Arbitral Award and reaffirming its commitment to peaceful engagement during a rare public statement at a forum organized by a Chinese think tank in Beijing.

The embassy asserted the legal authority of the Arbitral Award issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which ruled in favor of the Philippines and invalidated China’s sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea. The statement was delivered days after the ninth anniversary of the July 12, 2016 decision.

“We disagree with the notion that the Philippines is not willing to engage with China,” the embassy said. “In fact, even with the Arbitral Award, the Philippines has continued to make efforts to keep lines of communication open, maintain proper dialogue, and engage positively with China.”

The forum gathered officials, scholars, and policy experts amid increasing tensions in the region. Some Chinese participants accused Manila of provoking conflict and being uncooperative - a claim the Philippine side firmly refuted.

“We strongly reject the ‘troublemaker’ label,” the embassy said. “The Philippines has consistently followed international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and has acted in accordance with the 2016 ruling.”

The remarks came as Beijing continues to dismiss the Arbitral Award as a mere “piece of paper.” Chinese officials have repeatedly refused to recognize the decision, despite its support from the international community, including the United States, the European Union, Japan, and Australia.

Last week, Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro described China’s legal position as “self-serving and revisionist,” while reiterating that the Philippines remains open to dialogue, provided it is grounded in international law.

In Beijing, the Philippine embassy echoed this message and called on China to match its words with action.

“We hope China’s actions demonstrate genuine willingness to engage and to produce constructive and positive outcomes,” it said.

The embassy’s strong diplomatic tone, delivered on Chinese soil, signaled Manila’s intent to directly confront narratives that paint the Philippines as an instigator while underscoring the country’s commitment to defending its sovereign rights through peaceful and lawful means.