The press room was packed but the statement from Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay lasted just two minutes.
In four short paragraphs, he explained that experts were now analysing the ruling and called on all concerned to exercise "constraint and sobriety" at what he described as a "milestone decision".
There were no celebrations, hardly even a smile. And there's a reason for that.
This is not the same government that first brought this case to the Permanent Court of Arbitration three and a half years ago, in the aftermath of a standoff at Scarborough Shoal.
wo weeks ago, Rodrigo Duterte was sworn in as Philippine president. All the indications are that he is more willing to seek accommodation with the Chinese than his predecessor, Benigno Aquino.
Here in Manila, many believe that the new president may have sought promises of Chinese investment, in return for a quiet, dignified response.
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