West Philippine Sea: PH, Vietnam resume joint activities on Pugad Island

Philippine Navy and Vietnam People’s Navy conduct the seventh iteration of the annual bilateral interaction in Vietnam-occupied Pugad Island last July 10. PHOTO FROM THE NAVAL FORCES WEST OF THE PHILIPPINE NAVY

MANILA, Philippines — The cooperative activities between the Philippines and Vietnam on Pugad Island (Southwest Cay) have resumed, marking the first bilateral engagement between both countries in the West Philippine Sea since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The seventh iteration of the joint activity between the Philippine Navy and the Vietnam People’s Navy was held on July 10, navy spokesperson Commander John Percie Alcos said on Tuesday.

Alcos stated that this event, led by the Philippines’ Deputy Marine Commander for Marine Operations in Naval Forces West, Col. Enstein Calaoa Jr., and Vietnam’s Naval Region 4 Deputy Commander, Senior Capt. Ngo Dinh Xuyen, is “another milestone in fostering bilateral cooperation and camaraderie between the two navies.”

READ: PH urged to unite with Vietnam on SCS

“This used to be a regular thing, but because of the COVID it stopped for a while,” Alcos also said in a regular press conference. “I believe after the pandemic, this is the first time that we held this again.”

Alcos said the navies of Manila and Hanoi held a staff-to-staff talk on regional maritime security updates as well as proposals for future cooperation.

The activity, attended by 60 personnel from navies of both countries, also includes friendly games, cultural presentations and even culinary exchanges.

READ: Tarriela: Vietnam minds its own affairs, not harassing Filipino fishers

Pugad Island was previously held by the Philippines but was seized by Vietnam in 1975.

Despite this, Manila and Hanoi maintained good relations as both countries faced continuous aggression from Beijing.

Asked if there is a possibility that the Philippine Navy plans to conduct similar activities with the Chinese Navy, Alcos had a lukewarm response.

“We do these activities with like-minded nations,” Alcos said.