Vietnam ship in Manila for joint drills with Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Vietnamese Coast Guard (VCG) will hold joint exercises on search and rescue (SAR) as well as fire and explosion prevention training in Manila Bay today.

Rear Admiral Armand Balilo, PCG spokesperson, clarified that no actual fire will be used during the maritime exercises, and the drill will not aggravate the situation in Manila Bay where there is an ongoing oil spill clean-up in Bataan. There are reported pockets of oil sheen in the area due to the sinking of two motor tankers, the Terra Nova and Jason Bradley, and the motor vessel Mirola 1 which had run aground.

“The exercise would be held far from ground zero” of the oil spill, Balilo said.

In a statement, the PCG said the VCG vessel CSB 8002 would arrive at the Manila port for a four-day port call from Aug. 5 to Aug. 9. Its estimated 80-man crew will be led by VCG Region 2 vice commander Colonel Hoang Quoc Dat.

Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, PCG commandant, will welcome the VCG delegation. He said the intention of the visit is to foster mutual understanding and enhance cooperation between the two Coast Guards.

“After the low-key arrival ceremony on Aug. 5, Coast Guard officers and personnel will board CSB 8002 for a vessel tour. It will be followed by VCG’s courtesy call to the PCG Commandant at the National Headquarters and a fellowship sports activity at the PCG Gymnasium,” Balilo added.

They would then hold a planning conference to discuss the execution of the SAR exercise, fire and explosion prevention training.

The VCG officials will also visit the National Coast Watch Center, Marine Science Investigation Force Laboratory, and have a vessel tour on board the PCG’s 83-meter offshore patrol vessel, BRP Gabriela Silang.

“Concluding the port call will be the conduct of SAR, fire and explosion prevention training, and passing exercise in the vicinity waters of Manila Bay. CSB 8002 will depart the Philippine waters after a comprehensive debriefing and evaluation of the joint PCG-VCG initiative,” Balilo said.

Earlier this year, President Marcos and Gavan visited Hanoi where they tackled the strong bilateral relations between the two Coast Guards.

Last Jan. 30, the PCG and VCG formally signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on maritime cooperation that strengthens their understanding, mutual trust and confidence.

Under the MOU, the PCG and VCG agreed to develop a Joint Coast Guard Committee to discuss common issues and interests and establish a hotline communication mechanism.

Through these joint pursuits, the two Coast Guards would be able to enhance their strategic partnership by promoting, preserving and protecting their mutual interest in the Southeast Asian region.