The decision angered Beijing, which vowed to ignore the ruling.But Kerry said the United States saw an "opportunity" for claimants to peacefully resolve the row. "We hope to hear more from President Duterte about ... protecting human rights (and) maintaining the rule of law. "The decision itself is a binding decision but we’re not trying to create a confrontation. "The Philippines has an unhappy history of extrajudicial killings and violence (against) journalists and others," a US official told reporters travelling with the secretary. Kerry made the remarks after meeting with Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay in Manila where they discussed the Southeast Asian nation’s sweeping victory in the arbitration case against China.America’s top diplomat said the United States wanted China and the Philippines to engage in talks and "confidence-building measures".

Source: The Nation Bangkok July 27, 2016 05:03 UTC