Philippines foreign minister calls for South China Sea restraint

Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay gives a brief statement regarding the tribunal ruling on the South China Sea during a news conference at the Department of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Pasay city, metro Manila, Philippines July 12, 2016. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

ULAANBATAAR (Reuters) - The Philippines strongly affirms its respect for the arbitration court's ruling on the South China Sea and calls on all parties to exercise restraint, Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay said on Friday at a regional summit in Mongolia. The Philippines is committed to a peaceful resolution and will continue to engage concerned parties to reduce regional tensions, Yasay told the summit, according to a transcript of his remarks provided to Reuters. (Reporting by Seu-Lin Wong; Wrriting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Nick Macfie)