Vietnam’s coast guard vessel, CSB 8002, has arrived in the Philippines, marking the commencement of the first joint coast guard drills between the two nations. The vessel, a 2,400-ton ship carrying 80 crew members, docked in Manila on 5 August and will remain until 9 August.
These exercises come in the context of both countries’ ongoing territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea. The joint drills are part of an effort to strengthen maritime cooperation and enhance regional security.
During their stay, the Vietnamese and Philippine coast guards are conducting various training exercises, including search and rescue operations, fire and explosion prevention, and maritime safety drills. Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, Spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, outlined the activities: “There will also be a facility visit at the National Coast Watch Center (NCWC) and Marine Science Investigation Force (MSIF) Laboratory, as well as a vessel tour on board the 83-metre offshore patrol vessel, BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301).”
He also mentioned the implementation of search and rescue training, fire and explosion prevention exercises, and passage exercises in the waters around Manila Bay. The CSB 8002 will leave Philippine waters after a comprehensive briefing and evaluation of the joint initiative.
The Vietnam People’s Army newspaper reported that the training will also include responding to various scenarios in international waters, although further details were not provided.
This visit marks the first time a Vietnamese coast guard vessel has travelled to the Philippines, reflecting a growing partnership between the two countries. The drills follow a memorandum of understanding signed on 30 January 2024, after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visit to Hanoi. This agreement included the establishment of a Joint Coast Guard Committee and the creation of a hotline communication mechanism to enhance coordination.
Vietnam and the Philippines are two of the main claimants in the South China Sea, a region where China claims the vast majority of waters. Both nations have experienced conflicts with China’s coast guard in these disputed territories. Recently, tensions escalated at the Second Thomas Shoal when Chinese ships attempted to block Philippine resupply missions to an outpost there.
The joint exercises between Vietnam and the Philippines are expected to bolster regional maritime security and foster closer cooperation in response to shared challenges in the South China Sea.
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