MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is set to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Vietnam Maritime Police (VMP) that will clearly define the rules on maritime law enforcement.
PCG commandant Admiral Ramon Liwag announced during the maritime agency’s 110th anniversary that the signing will be held on Oct. 26.
“It would cover the detailed rules and regulation on the exchange of information on the maritime law enforcement efforts of the two countries, ”he said.
“There had been arrests made in the Philippines and there had been arrests made there (in Vietnam). We need to discuss it to avoid irritants because if their people enter our territory, there would be a problem. So they would have to tell their people not to violate the territorial waters,” he said.
It will not be the first MOA between the two countries. Liwag recalled that former PCG chief Wilfredo Tamayo also signed an agreement with the Armed Forces of Vietnam and the National Vietnam Search and Rescue Commission last year that covers search and rescue missions and collaboration on oil spill response.
These agreements are in compliance with the demands of the international community for countries to assist each other in times of distress.
On the other hand, the MOA on Cooperation in Oil Spill Preparedness and Response took note of the importance of coordination to enhance national capacity to prevent, control, mitigate, and protect against marine pollution.
It also assured joint effort in the conservation of marine resources thus promoting cooperation in the fields of human resources development, mutual assistance, information exchange, research and development, and in other fields related to recent developments in the Maritime Pollution Convention.
The accord will likewise enhance information exchange between the Philippines and Vietnam to curb human smuggling, drug trafficking, and piracy.
Both countries have been offering shelters to vessels that are caught in bad weather conditions and oftentimes the two countries, through their embassies, would request for assistance and permission to seek shelter.