MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / June 8, 2014) – The Philippines and Vietnam on Sunday held a friendship games in the Spratly Islands which are being claimed in part or whole by both countries, and Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and China.
Government spokesman Herminio Coloma said the holding of the friendship games is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries and camaraderie among Filipino and Vietnamese troops in the Spratly Islands which is believed to be rich in minerals and oil.
“Sila ay hindi naman maglalaban sa isa’t isa sa idaraos na mga palaro na kung saan magkakasama ang mga Pilipino at Vietnamese sa mga pangkat na maglalaro. Hindi ito Philippines versus Vietnam. Joint teams po ang lalahok sa palaro para mas maging mainam ang kanilang pakikipag-kaibigan,” he said, adding, Filipino and Vietnamese troops will compete in football, volleyball and tug-of-war matches.
They will be playing at the Vietnamese occupied island of Pugad (Southwest Cay).
“Ginawa po ang inisyatibang ito para maitaguyod ang pakikipagkaibigan at mainam na pagtutulungan ng mga Pilipino at ng mga Vietnamese na naatasang magbantay sa mga lugar na iyan,” Coloma said.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung was in Manila in May during the World Economic Forum on East Asia. And he and President Benigno Aquino forged stronger ties and reaffirmed the strong bonds between their countries.
The two leaders had discussed how the Philippines and Vietnam can enhance confidence building, defense capabilities, and interoperability in addressing security challenges, particularly on issues involving China provocative actions in the South China Sea.
Matters pertaining to exchanges in intelligence and naval technology, and others, were tackled in the meeting. Collaborative activities between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Vietnam Coast Guard have increased over the years, including information exchange and Hotline Communication Mechanisms between the the two countries which is aimed at protecting marine resources and suppressing illegal activities in the adjacent sea area.
Aquino said the continued cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam will enable them to better protect their maritime resources, as they pursue strategies for regional growth and progress. He said the two countries must remain steadfast in their shared aspiration and by working together they can build a more stable Southeast Asia.
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