Photo credit: PCG

The Philippines has thrown its full support behind the G7’s latest statement on the South China Sea, saying the world’s major democracies are echoing what Manila has long been calling out: aggression and coercion have no place in the region.

In a statement on November 18, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it welcomes the Joint Statement of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Niagara, released on November 12. The group reaffirmed the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific grounded in international law — something the Philippines has consistently pushed for as tensions rise in the West Philippine Sea.

Manila stressed that it shares the G7’s views on the need to keep maritime routes safe and open, especially since global stability and economic resilience rely heavily on secure seas. The DFA also highlighted the reaffirmation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which defines maritime rights and responsibilities.

The Philippines didn’t mince words about recent incidents either. It noted the G7’s “serious concern” over dangerous maneuvers and water-cannon attacks — tactics that have repeatedly endangered Filipino vessels — as well as attempts to restrict freedom of navigation and overflight through intimidation and militarization.

Manila also welcomed the G7’s emphasis on regional stability and the group’s recognition of the 2016 Arbitral Award, which invalidated China’s sweeping claims. The DFA underscored that the ruling remains a key foundation for peacefully managing and resolving disputes at sea.