PH, Vietnam navies deepen ties amid regional sea tension

From Rappler (Nov 26): PH, Vietnam navies deepen ties amid regional sea tension

Two Vietnamese warships are on a 'goodwill visit' to Manila, seen as a sign of stronger relations between the Philippine Navy and the Vietnam People's Navy

GOODWILL VISIT. The Vietnam People's Navy make its first ever port call in Manila. Photo from the Philippine Navy

 

Two Vietnamese warships are docked at the South Harbor in Manila for the first ever port call of the Vietnam People's Navy (VPN) to the Philippines – part of a series of activities with the Philippine Navy (PN) meant to deepen ties amid regional tension over sea disputes.

 

"This first port call is a positive and good sign of the improving and deepening relations between the Philippine Navy and the Vietnam People's Navy," said Lieutenant Commander Marineth Domingo, spokesperson of the Philippine Navy.

 

The two Vietnamese warships – Dinh Tien Hoang (HQ-011) and Ly Thai To (HQ-012) – carries about 200 navy officers led by VPN Deputy Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Nguyen Van Kiem.

 

The VPN Deputy Chief and the commanding officers of the ships visited the Philippine Navy headquarters, and were received by Philippine Navy Vice Commander Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad.

 

Domingo said the visit will also include activities such as goodwill games, ship tours, and receptions to promote camaraderie and friendship between the officers.

 

The two countries signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Defense Cooperation in October 2010, but the activities between the navies were only held this year: the PN hosted the first staff-to-staff meeting in March; in June, Vietnam hosted the first PN-VPN Personnel Interaction at Southwest Cay Island.

Domingo said the focus of recent activities between the Philippines and Vietnam is Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and cultural engagements "to better understand the different cultures and to foster camaraderie and friendly relations between the two nations."

STRONGER TIES. Vietnam People Navy's Deputy Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Nguyen Van Kiem and Philippine Navy Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad. Photo from the PH Navy

 

Information sharing is included in the newly-drafted Memorandum of Understanding that is meant to implement the 2010 MOA.

"Under the proposals, both parties discussed ways on cooperating through reciprocal visit and exchanges, personnel education and training exchanges, naval technology exchanges, and intelligence and information exchanges," Domingo said.

The two countries, both with overlapping claims in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), are leading the fight against China's aggressive claim over almost the entire South China Sea. The coasts of the Philippines and Vietnam constitute the eastern and western corners of the South China Sea, respectively.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/76139-ph-vietnam-cooperation-maritime-dispute