Philippines urges "restraint and sobriety" after South China Sea ruling

Protesters release balloons as they display placards as while chanting anti-China slogans during a rally by different activist groups over the South China Sea disputes, along a bay in metro Manila, Philippines July 12, 2016.REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines' foreign minister called for "restraint and sobriety" in the South China Sea on Tuesday after an international arbitration court issued a decision favourable to Manila and condemned by Beijing. "Our experts are studying this award with the care and thoroughness that this significant arbitral outcome deserves," Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay told a news conference. "We call on all those concerned to exercise restraint and sobriety. The Philippines strongly affirms its respect for this milestone decision." (Reporting by Enrico Dela Cruz; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Nick Macfie)