Lately, the Philippines and Vietnam engaged in joint firefighting and search-and-rescue exercises near Manila, marking a significant step in their maritime cooperation amidst ongoing disputes with Beijing over the South China Sea. Both countries claim parts of the Spratly archipelago, but their collaborative drills in Manila Bay aimed at upholding peace and stability in the contested region.
Following the drills, Captain Lawrence Roque expressed optimism about the Philippines and Vietnam aligning with a rules-based approach. The exercises involved the Philippine ship BRP Gabriela Silang and Vietnam’s CSB 8002 vessel conducting rescue simulations in challenging sea conditions.
The exercises stood in contrast to recent aggressive encounters between Philippine and Chinese vessels, which stirred concerns of escalated tensions. As Manila plans to send a ship to Vietnam for further joint activities, both nations continue to assert their rights in the South China Sea through UN submissions and bilateral talks, promoting maritime security and cooperation in the region.
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