PH, Vietnam soldiers to play sports in Spratlys

From ABS-CBN (Jun 4): PH, Vietnam soldiers to play sports in Spratlys

Soldiers from the Philippines and Vietnam will hold friendly sports games on an island in the Spratlys, a move that could raise eyebrows in China.

A security official, who asked not to be named, said the games will be held on Sunday at the Southwest Cay, an island occupied by Vietnam.

Filipino forces used to occupy the island, also known as Pugad Island, until 40 years ago when the Vietnamese seized it.

Pugad Island is also around five nautical miles from the Northeast Cay, or Parola Island, which the Philippines occupies.

The official said, “this is the first interaction between the ground troops” in the Spratlys, which is also being claimed by China, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei.

The two nations planned to hold a football games in the Spratlys back in the 1990, but these did not push through.

The soldiers may play football or volleyball. There will also be a cultural presentation.

The official said the objective is to ease tensions between the two nations.

“This is to ease the tension also, that is the objective. We can solve this through peaceful means which is anchored on our peaceful resolution and rules-based approach,” he said.

He said sports games introduce camaraderie among players.

 He hopes other countries will also hold friendly games with the Philippines.

“Hopefully, we’ll have one with the other countries,” he said.

The development comes amid increasing tensions between China and Vietnam, as well as China and the Philippines over maritime and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/04/14/ph-vietnam-soldiers-play-sports-spratlys