Vietnam Coast Guard Arrives in Manila for Historic Joint Drills with Philippine Coast Guard

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The Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) vessel CSB 8002 docked in Manila on Monday, marking the first-ever visit of a Vietnamese coast guard ship to the Philippines. The 2,400-ton vessel, led by VCG Region 2 Vice Commander Col. Hoang Quoc Dat, is set to participate in a five-day port call that will include joint maritime exercises with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Manila Bay.


The arrival of the Vietnamese delegation, consisting of at least 80 crew members, symbolizes the shared objectives of both nations in enhancing maritime safety and security. Commodore Arnaldo Lim, director of the Coast Guard Strategic Studies and International Affairs Center, emphasized the significance of this cooperation in maintaining a safe, secure, and stable maritime environment, while also reinforcing the strong bilateral ties between the Philippines and Vietnam.


The joint drills will focus on search and rescue operations, fire and explosion prevention, and passing exercises. The Vietnamese official stated that these activities will promote and enhance the efficiency of information sharing and coordination in maritime law enforcement, in accordance with international law, contributing to the preservation and protection of the region's maritime security and safety.


The Philippines and Vietnam have both asserted claims to various features in the Spratly Islands, but confrontations between the two nations have been rare. Their bilateral relations have improved since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s state visit to Hanoi in January, during which both countries committed to enhancing cooperation between their coast guards.


Under the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed during the visit, the PCG and VCG agreed to establish a Joint Coast Guard Committee (JCGC) to address common issues and interests, as well as a hotline communication mechanism for swift coordination.


PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo described the VCG's Monday visit to the Philippines as historic, stating that it serves as a template for building stronger relationships with other countries that have claims in the region.

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