The Philippines and Brunei, which have rival claims in the South China Sea, on Thursday agreed to work for the peaceful resolution of disputes in the strategic waterway. President Duterte of the Philippines and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei also emphasized the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, signed in 2002 by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and China to maintain peace and stability in the region despite the competing territorial claims.The two leaders also welcomed the progress in the consultations on the framework of a proposed code of conduct that would prevent the disputes from erupting into conflict.

Salaverria, L. B., & Avendaño, C. O. (2017, April 28). PH, Brunei to resolve sea row peacefully. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A12.