Philippines, Vietnam set for maritime drills with China in mind

They are beefing up defence cooperation amid tensions in South China Sea

- Mara Cepeda

The Philippines and Vietnam are set to hold their first joint maritime exercises on Aug 9, a historic move seen as a way to deepen trust between the two South-east Asian nations that have resisted Beijing's increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

Though the two countries have competing claims in the disputed waterway, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) welcomed its Vietnamese counterparts as they docked at the Port of Manila on Aug 5.

Vietnam has been speeding up its artificial island-building pace in the South China Sea over the past months, while tensions have been increasing between China and the Philippines over the latter's resupply missions to a remote military outpost on Second Thomas Shoal.

Beijing's rising aggression in the region, however, has pushed Manila and Hanoi to beef up their defence and cooperation.

Vietnam's CSB 8002 patrol vessel will end its five-day goodwill visit this week by sailing through the waters of Manila Bay, which faces the South China Sea, along with Filipino sailors in their own vessel, to conduct search and rescue operations, fire and explosion training, and communication exercises on Aug 9.

The drills include simulating the rescue of fishermen in distress in the South China Sea, said PCG spokesman Armand Balilo in an interview with reporters after CSB 8002's arrival. He insisted that the historic coast guard drills between the two countries are not directed against China.