The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen maritime security collaboration with Vietnam during a port call in Da Nang on Tuesday.

In a statement Thursday, the PCG said joint exercise planning and a tabletop exercise were conducted with the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) to prepare for upcoming joint Search and Rescue and Firefighting Exercises at Sea.

“This collaborative effort marks a pivotal step in strengthening both agencies’ commitment to advancing maritime cooperation,” the PCG said.

It said the drills reflect the two agencies’ shared goal of enhancing interoperability in responding to maritime emergencies and maintaining safe sea lanes in Southeast Asia.

As part of the port visit, PCG’s offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) hosted a ship tour for members of the Filipino community based in Hanoi and Da Nang.

The visit culminated in a dinner reception hosted by the PCG and attended by key officials, including Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Meynardo Montealegre, Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chair Tran Chi Cuong, and VCG Region 2 Commander Major General Tran Quang Tuan.

PCG Deputy Commandant for Administration Rear Admiral Charlie Rances Fabul, in his remarks, underscored the importance of the visit as a step toward deeper cooperation and expressed eagerness for future VCG visits to the Philippines to sustain joint efforts in maritime security.

Tuan echoed this sentiment, calling the visit a milestone in advancing the bilateral framework laid out in the memorandum of understanding signed by the PCG and VCG earlier this year.

Ambassador Montealegre expressed hope that the PCG’s visit would open doors for further collaboration in areas such as disaster response, search and rescue operations, and promoting safe navigation in the region.

Cuong, for his part, highlighted the growing relationship between the Philippines and Vietnam, and the need to continue building trust and cooperation.

PCG Captain Eleizer Ibarrientos, commanding officer of BRP Gabriela Silang, thanked Vietnamese officials and the local government for their warm reception and reaffirmed the PCG’s commitment to sustained cooperation.

The Vietnam stop was the final leg of the PCG’s Tri-Country Port Visit, which also included Thailand and Malaysia —highlighting the agency’s drive to enhance multilateral maritime partnerships across Southeast Asia. (PNA)