FILIPINO and Vietnamese troops recently held friendly games and other activities at an island occupied by Vietnam in the West Philippine Sea to foster camaraderie.
The one-day event was held at Southwest Cay or Pugad Island last July 10 amid increasing growing tensions in the West Philippine Sea brought about by China’s aggressive behavior.
Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels have harassed the Philippine government and civilian vessels in the past months through dangerous maneuvers, water cannoning and even ramming.
In a statement, the Naval Forces West (NFW) said the event at Southwest Cay was “held with great success,” adding this marked another “milestone in fostering bilateral cooperation and camaraderie between the two navies.”
The event was the seventh since 2014 when the two sides first held such interaction at Pugad Island in 2014. The Navy had earlier said the interaction was in line with the Memorandum of Agreement on Defense Cooperation that the two nations signed in 2010.
Succeeding interactions were held either at Pugad Island or at the Philippine-held Northeast Cay, also known as Parola Island.
The Philippine Navy Fleet-Marine contingent that took part in the latest interaction was led by Col. Enstein Calaoa Jr., the NFW’s deputy commander for marine operations.
The Filipino troops were welcomed at Pugad Island by a Vietnamese Navy contingent led by Naval Region 4 deputy commander Senior Captain Ngo Dihn Xuyen.
The two sides engaged in staff-to-staff talks on issues pertaining to “regional maritime security,” the recent rescue of distressed Filipino fishermen, and “proposals for future cooperation.”
“In the spirit of sportsmanship, friendly games of football, tug-of-war, and sack race were actively participated by both navies, highlighting camaraderie and teamwork of their respective personnel,” said NFW spokesman Lt (jg) Darryl Blaise Diego.
Diego said the two sides had cultural presentations and culinary exchange which he said “exemplified the rich heritage of each nation, deepening cultural ties and appreciation.”
The island was formerly occupied by Filipino forces. Vietnamese forces seized the feature in the 1970s when Filipino troops stationed there went to another Philippine-controlled island.
“The Philippine Navy, through Naval Forces West, extends its gratitude to the Vietnam People’s Navy for the warm accommodation and hospitality as host of this year’s Personnel Interaction and is looking forward to continuing such meaningful exchanges in the future,” said Diego.
