Philippines, Vietnam coast guards to hold first joint drills

Manila: The Philippines and Vietnam coast guards will hold joint exercises this week, Manila said Monday, in the first such drills between the countri...

Manila: The Philippines and Vietnam coast guards will hold joint exercises this week, Manila said Monday, in the first such drills between the countries in dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea.

China claims most of the strategic waterway -- despite an international tribunal ruling that its assertion has no legal basis -- and the Philippines, Vietnam and several other nations claim various islands, islets, reefs and shoals.

Vietnam's 91-metre CSB 8002 ship will conduct the manoeuvres with a Filipino coast guard ship near Manila Bay on Friday, at the end of a five-day visit, Philippine coast guard spokesman Armando Balilo said during an arrival ceremony for the visiting vessel.

"This is important because it shows that two countries with problems related to the West Philippine Sea can come to an agreement," Balilo said, using the Philippine term for parts of the disputed South China Sea that are claimed by Manila.

The coast guard said the Philippines' 83-metre BRP Gabriela Silang will take part in the joint exercises.