The Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) vessel CSB 8002 arrived in Port Area, Manila, on Monday for a five-day port call, which will include joint maritime drills with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) as both nations agreed to strengthen cooperation amid disputes in the South China Sea.
The Vietnamese delegation was led by VCG Region 2 Vice Commander, Colonel Hoang Quoc Dat, and consists of at least 80 crew members who will participate in drills and exercises with the PCG in Manila Bay this week.
Commodore Arnaldo Lim, director of the Coast Guard Strategic Studies and International Affairs Center, said that the arrival of the 2,400-ton vessel symbolizes the shared objectives of both nations in enhancing maritime safety and security.
“This cooperation is crucial for maintaining a safe, secure, and stable maritime environment and reinforces the strong bilateral ties connecting our two countries,” Lim said in his welcome address.
The Vietnamese official said the activities serve as an opportunity to lay a solid foundation for continued collaboration. “This 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,” he said.
