Philippines, Vietnam sign defense cooperation agreement

MANILA, Philippines — Bilateral relations between the Philippines and Vietnam have reached “greater heights,” President Marcos said yesterday, as the two countries agreed on peaceful means to address tensions in the South China Sea.

“We have elevated the Philippines-Vietnam relations to greater heights,” Marcos wrote on Instagram following his meeting with Vietnamese Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang at Malacañang.

The President made the remarks as the two countries entered into a defense cooperation agreement signed earlier yesterday by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and Phan at Camp Aguinaldo.

In the same post, the President also thanked Vietnam for supporting the 2016 Arbitral Award, which invalidated China’s massive claims in the South China Sea.

“We thank Vietnam for supporting the Arbitral Award. Together, we remain committed to peaceful resolutions, de-escalating tensions and ensuring that the rule of law and a rules-based international order prevail in our region,” Marcos said.

The Vietnamese official’s visit came days after the China Coast Guard again disrupted a Philippine Coast Guard supply mission near Escoda Shoal by  ramming two PCG vessels. The Philippines and Vietnam are both claimants in the South China Sea.

During their meeting, Marcos described Phan’s visit as “a very significant point in the history between our two countries.”

This was Phan’s first visit to the Philippines since his appointment as defense minister on April 8, 2021.

“The Philippines and Vietnam have enjoyed good relations and we have continued to progress in those relationships, whereas before comprise only with our diplomatic connection,” Marcos said.

“We now talk about defense cooperation, security cooperation, maritime cooperation and certainly, on the area of trade as well. Your visit, I think, will serve as further impetus, further push to increase that – the depth and the range of our relationship,” the President added.

For his part, Phan emphasized the “very good interactions and exchanges” between the Philippines and Vietnam, especially the navy-to-navy discussions of the two nations.

He also conveyed the greetings and best wishes from Vietnam’s senior