MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and 13 other countries have called on China to abide by the 2016 arbitral award on the West Philippine Sea, reaffirming that the ruling is “final, legally binding, and definitive” between the Philippines and China on the maritime claims covered by the tribunal.

Australia has donated a fresh batch of aerial and underwater drones to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), a tactical upgrade that could transform how Manila monitors the West Philippine Sea, particularly around the fragile region of Palawan, the remote Kalayaan Island Group, and Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal).