Kimberly Capuyan

The Philippines and Vietnam announced the signing of a defense cooperation agreement between capital cities, Manila and Hanoi, amid shared concerns about maritime security over the South China Sea last August 30. 


Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang went to Manila to discuss with his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, the strategic partnership between the two countries, according to a Presidential Communications (PCO) press release.

Phan also paid a courtesy call to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. before the signing of a letter of intent on enhanced cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and on military medicine.

”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.

He also reiterated the possibility of trade partnerships, and strengthening the relationship between the neighboring countries. 

“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,” he added.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. added that the defense cooperation agreement between Manila and Hanoi will further enhance their diplomatic ties, especially in the defense and military sectors. 

Phan expressed his gratitude to Marcos for his state visit to Vietnam last January 29 and 30 upon the invitation of Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong. 

“That visit opened up new opportunities to further promote and innovate the strategic partnership between Viet Nam and the Philippines in various areas that you just mentioned,” Phan said.

Marcos cited his two-day visit was “very productive” as the two nations have “already achieved very much in this very short time.”

The Philippines and Vietnam signed agreements during Marcos’ visit to forge maritime cooperation and rice trade, and discuss management of incidents in the South China Sea.

Phan stressed the “very good interactions and exchanges” between the two countries, particularly their Navy-to-Navy exchanges.

Marcos also thanked Phan for Vietnam’s support of the 2016 arbitral award that junked China’s nine-dash-line claim to the South China Sea.

While the two countries have overlapping claims in the Spratly Islands, they have inked an agreement to keep maritime peace in 2015.