PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go urged all stakeholders in the South China Sea to exercise restraint and abide by their commitments and responsibilities under international law.

Go made the call as he and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte thanked Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) partners for issuing statements of support on upholding the rule of law in the South China Sea at the Retreat Session of the virtual 13th ASEM Summit.

During his intervention at the summit, President Duterte maintained that the South China Sea must remain a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity, where the majesty of law is upheld and the vital interests of stakeholders inside and outside the region are recognized and respected.

Meanwhile, Go underscored that all are responsible members of the international community. "Tandaan natin, pagkakataon ito na maipamalas ang commitment ng lahat ng bansa sa rehiyon sa peaceful settlement of disputes.”

The Philippines is one of the founding members of ASEM, an informal dialogue process involving 53 partners from Europe, Asia, the European Union and the ASEAN Secretariat.

The Kingdom of Cambodia chaired this year’s 13th ASEM Summit with the theme, “Strengthening Multilateralism for Shared Growth.”  (OSBG)