By Camille Abadicio, CNN Philippines
Updated 01:23 AM PHT Wed, July 13, 2016
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Community leaders and members of various civil society groups celebrate following the arbitration court's ruling in favor of the Philippines.
Kalayaan Atin Ito volunteers were joined on Tuesday by the Movement and Alliance to Resist China's Aggression, the U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance, and youth volunteers from the Vietnamese community.
The group marched along Roxas Boulevard to the seawall at Manila Bay where they released red, blue, white, and yellow balloons and waved Philippine flags.
Former National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said the arbitral tribunal reaffirmed the Philippines' maritime claims over the West Philippine Sea.
He said, "We are showing to the world that we are standing up for our rights in the face of a giant trying to gobble up our EEZ, our West Philippine Sea."
According to Kalayaan Atin Ito spokeswoman Atty. Joy Vera Ban-eg, the fight doesn't stop after the Hague's decision as China is expected to ignore the ruling.
She said the Philippines' victory gave a reason for the Filipinos to be more firm in standing up for the country's rights, especially because the whole world would be watching.
"This is victory not only for the Filipino people but for the entire humanity. Finally, all we need to ask now is for China to adhere to international law, respect the rule of law. China, you can never intimidate us. We will continue sailing in our islands, we will continue to fish in our waters, we will continue to swim with your Chinese coast guards. You will not stop us," Ban-eg said.
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