For many years before 2012, Filipinos referred to their portion of the sea bordering the west of the

country as South China Sea. Then, after the tense Scarborough Shoal Standoff in 2012, the government
decided to name the maritime area as the West Philippine Sea.

For many decades prior to the 2012 Scarborough Shoal Standoff, the disputes in this part of the world
remained dormant. It only escalated in 2012 after China sent paramilitary ships to Scarborough and
blocked its perimeter to keep Filipino vessels and fishing boats away from the area.

In response, and because of its significantly weaker military capabilities, the Philippines resorted to
international law—the great equalizer of nations. In 2013, it filed a case against China at the
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) concerning maritime questions in the West
Philippine Sea.

Surprisingly, a lot of countries supported the Philippines in its case against China. The U.S. and its allies
in the European Union such as Germany, France, and the U.K. expressed their support for the decision
to take the matter to court. Likewise, Vietnam, Japan, and Australia supported the move, emphasizing
that the rule of law should prevail over acts of war in resolving disputes.

Finally, in 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration handed out a landmark victory for the Philippines
and declared China’s nine-dash lines and historical claims on the entire South China Sea illegal. It also
declared key features in the West Philippine Sea as falling within the Philippines’ maritime zone.

The West Philippine Sea has always been a potential flashpoint because it is claimed in part by Brunei,
Malaysia, and the Philippines, and in whole by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

From 2013 to 2015, China successfully reclaimed and militarized seven reefs in the South China Sea, five
of which are in the West Philippine Sea. The five are Mabini Reef, McKennan Reef, Calderon Reef,
Kagitingan Reef, and Burgos Reef.

Majority of the countries of the world, especially members of the U.N., recognize the Court’s decision. It
also means that they recognize the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea. Their
support ensured very important protection and leverage for the Philippines against China, who is
historically hesitant to take drastic action if it risks losing international prestige. Acting against the
opinion of a majority of U.N members is risking losing international prestige and influence.