Philippines 'welcomes' South China Sea ruling

The Philippines welcomed a ruling by a UN-backed tribunal today that declares China has no "historic rights" in the South China Sea, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said, as he urged restraint.

"The Philippines welcomes the issuance today... On the arbitration proceedings initiated by the Philippines with regard to the South China Sea," Yasay told reporters minutes after the court in The Hague released its verdict.