Vietnam coast guard to conduct first-ever drills with Philippine counterpart: summary
What we know
- The Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are set to conduct their first-ever joint drills. This historic exercise, scheduled for August 9, 2024, will take place in Manila Bay.
- The joint drills will focus on critical areas such as search and rescue operations, fire and explosion prevention, and other humanitarian efforts. These exercises aim to improve coordination and response capabilities between the two coast guards, ensuring better preparedness for maritime emergencies.
- The arrival of Vietnam's 90-meter ship, CSB 8002, at the port of Manila on August 5, 2024, signifies the beginning of this collaborative effort. The ship, along with its crew, will participate in the five-day port call, engaging in various training activities with the Philippines' 83-meter offshore patrol vessel, BRP Gabriela Silang.
- Both countries are facing similar challenges in the South China Sea, where they have competing territorial claims and have experienced confrontations with China's coast guard. Despite these rivalries, the joint drills demonstrate a commitment to working together to enhance maritime security and stability in the region.
- Analysts hail this development as a "revolutionary" move, highlighting its significance in the context of regional security.
What they said
PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo expressed hope that this engagement would lead to the establishment of communication hotlines between Manila and Hanoi for faster coordination according to the Inquirer. “That is one of the things we are looking at, to reciprocate this kind of activity,” Balilo said in an ambush interview, partly in Filipino. The drills are expected to promote information sharing and coordination in maritime law enforcement. “This will promote and enhance the efficiency of information sharing and the coordination in maritime law enforcement in accordance with international law, thereby contributing to the preservation and protection of the region’s maritime security and safety,” Col. Hoang Quoc Dat, vice commander of VCG Region 2 said.
