Manila: The Philippine and Japan's National Security Advisers on Monday reiterated their commitment to "freedom of navigation and international law in the South China Sea and East China Sea".

According to Philippines News Agency, Philippines' NSA Eduardo A±o spoke over the phone with his Japanese counterpart, Okano Masataka, on Monday, as stated by the National Security Council (NSC) in a statement. "They reaffirmed their commitment to freedom of navigation and international law in the South China Sea and East China Sea, as well as the importance of upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific, and international rules-based order," the statement highlighted.

The discussions between the two officials also ventured into areas of cooperation aimed at addressing destabilizing actions in the "West Philippine Sea/South China Sea." They confirmed the ongoing Japan-Philippines security cooperation and expressed agreement on the importance of continuing to work closely with each other.

The NSC further mentioned that both sides agreed to enhance and promote the trilateral framework of cooperation with the United States under the new administration of President Donald Trump.