Natl Defense chief backs Cebu City's WPS Victory Day resolution

Cebu City, Philippines

• Defense Secretary Gilbert 'Gibo' Teodoro has thrown his support behind the city's decision to declare July 12 as West Philippine Sea Victory Day. This is despite criticisms that the move may be seen as antagonizing China.

Defense Secretary Gilbert 'Gibo' Teodoro, who was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in January 2026, said in a statement that the 2016 arbitral ruling is a victory for the Philippines and must be upheld.

The 2016 arbitral ruling, which was won by the Philippines against China over the West Philippine Sea issue, is a victory for the Philippines and must be upheld. Teodoro said the ruling is a testament to the country's sovereignty and territorial rights.

The Department of National Defense (DND) has thrown its support behind Cebu City's decision, saying it will help to remind Filipinos of the country's victory in the arbitral ruling. The DND also said it will help to strengthen the country's position in its dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea.

Cebu City's mayor, Raul Alcoseba, said the city's decision to declare July 12 as West Philippine Sea Victory Day is a way to remind Filipinos of the country's victory in the arbitral ruling. Alcoseba said the city will also hold a celebration on July 12 to commemorate the country's victory.

The Philippines has a long-standing dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea, which is also known as the South China Sea. The two countries have been at odds over the issue for decades, with China claiming sovereignty over the entire sea.

China has been accused of bullying smaller countries in the region, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia, over the issue.

In contrast, the Philippines has maintained its right to explore and exploit the resources of the West Philippine Sea. The country has also vowed to protect its sovereignty and territorial rights over the issue.

The Philippines has maintained its right to explore and exploit the resources of the West Philippine Sea. The country has also vowed to protect its sovereignty and territorial rights over the issue.

The Philippines has a long history of disputes with China over the West Philippine Sea. The two countries have been at odds over the issue for decades, with China claiming sovereignty over the entire sea.

The Philippines has maintained its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, but China has been accused of bullying smaller countries in the region, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia, over the issue.

In recent years, the Philippines has taken steps to strengthen its position in the dispute. In 2022, the country filed a lawsuit against China at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).

The Philippines has also sought the help of other countries in the region, including the United States, Japan, and Australia, in its dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines has maintained its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, but China has been accused of bullying smaller countries in the region, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia, over the issue.

The Philippines has a long history of disputes with China over the West Philippine Sea. The two countries have been at odds over the issue for decades, with China claiming sovereignty over the entire sea.

The Philippines has maintained its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, but China has been accused of bullying smaller countries in the region, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia, over the issue.

The Philippine Navy has been on high alert since China began building artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines has a long-standing dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea, but the country has maintained its sovereignty over the issue. The Philippines has also sought the help of other countries in the region, including the United States, Japan, and Australia, in its dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea.

The DND has thrown its support behind Cebu City's decision, saying it will help to remind Filipinos of the country's victory in the arbitral ruling. The DND also said it will help to strengthen the country's position in its dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea.

Cebu City's mayor, Raul Alcoseba, said the city's decision to declare July 12 as West Philippine Sea Victory Day is a way to remind Filipinos of the country's victory in the arbitral ruling. Alcoseba said the city will also hold a celebration on July 12 to commemorate the country's victory.

The Philippines has a long-standing dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea, but the country has maintained its sovereignty over the issue. The Philippines has also sought the help of other countries in the region, including the United States, Japan, and Australia, in its dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines has a long history of disputes with China over the West Philippine Sea. The two countries have been at odds over the issue for decades, with China claiming sovereignty over the entire sea.

The Philippines has maintained its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, but China has been accused of bullying smaller countries in the region, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia, over the issue.

The Philippines has been struggling to assert its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea since the 1970s. The country's claim to the sea dates back to the 1960s, but China has been accused of bullying smaller countries in the region, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia, over the issue.

The Philippines has a long history of disputes with China over the West Philippine Sea. The two countries have been at odds over the issue for decades, with China claiming sovereignty over the entire sea.

The Philippines has maintained its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, but China has been accused of bullying smaller countries in the region, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia, over the issue.

The Philippines has a long history of disputes with China over the West Philippine Sea. The two countries have been at odds over the issue for decades, with China claiming sovereignty over the entire sea.