Vietnam and Philippine Navies Hold 7th Friendship Exchange
Song Tu Tay Island, The Gulf Observer: The Vietnam People’s Navy and the Philippine Navy conducted the 7th friendship exchange on Song Tu Tay Island of Vietnam. The Vietnamese delegation was led by Col. Ngô Đình Xuyên, Deputy Commander of Naval Region 4, and the Philippine delegation by Col. Enstein Calaoa, Deputy Commander for Marine Operations of the Philippines’ Naval Forces West.
This latest exchange, following the 6th held on Song Tu Đong Island of Vietnam in October 2023, aimed to further enhance the friendship, cooperation, trust, and mutual understanding between the two countries’ militaries and navies.
It represents a step towards effectively implementing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on strengthening bilateral cooperation and information sharing signed between the two navies in October 2011. Additionally, it follows the mechanism of friendship exchanges on Song Tu Tay and Song Tu Đong signed in March 2012.
Highlighting the progress in the partnerships between the two militaries and navies, Col. Xuyên noted that under the MoU, there has been an increase in mutual visits at all levels, bilateral naval consultations, friendship exchanges on the two islands, port visits, participation in international multilateral events hosted by each side, and cooperation in rescuing fishermen.
Col. Xuyên emphasized that the mechanism of friendship exchanges on Song Tu Tay and Song Tu Đong provides a crucial basis for promoting intensive and effective cooperation between the two navies, contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, and development in the region.
He called on both sides to continue sharing information on disaster warnings, maritime security and safety, search and rescue operations, and marine pollution near Song Tu Tay and Song Tu Đong. Additionally, he urged for increased coordination in handling sea incidents, conducting search and rescue missions, and ensuring fair and humanitarian treatment of distressed fishermen from both countries in line with the MoU on incident prevention and management in the East Sea (South China Sea), signed in January 2024.
Col. Calaoa affirmed that such interactions deepen mutual understanding and trust between the Vietnamese and Philippine navies, thereby strengthening the friendship between the two countries and contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, security, and safety in their respective sea areas and the region.
During the event, both sides shared information on search and rescue operations, marine security, and disaster warnings. They also participated in sports, musical, and culinary activities.
