Ship CSB 8002 of Vietnam Coast Guard Region 2 has just completed its visit to the Philippine Coast Guard forces at the Manila Military Port, during which the two sides conducted joint exercises focusing on firefighting, rescue and medical operations, the Ministry of National Defense reported on Friday.

The ship arrived at the port on Monday, carrying a Vietnamese coast guard delegation headed by Senior Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Quoc Dat, deputy commander of Coast Guard Region 2.

This was the first time that the Vietnam Coast Guard has sent its vessel with a working group to the Philippines for a visit, drills and exchanges of experience in law enforcement at sea.

On Tuesday, the Vietnamese ship’s representatives paid a courtesy visit to the leaders of the Philippine Coast Guard at its headquarters.

During the stay that was wrapped on Friday, ship CSB 8002 joined the Philippine offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang joined simulated drills in firefighting, rescue, and medical response, according to Reuters. 

“Our exercise is more on the humanitarian side,” Lawrence Roque, commanding officer of BRP Gabriela Silang.

The Philippine official expressed his hope that more of these activities will be conducted in the future “because the sea is large and many will need assistance from the coast guard.”

In addition to these exercises, the Vietnamese ship’s crew members and Philippines coast guard officers and soldiers took part in sports and cultural activities and experience exchanging sessions.

Speaking at the farewell ceremony for the Vietnamese ship on Friday morning, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Dat thanked the host for warm reception and effective coordination during the visit including the drills.

The official affirmed that the visit not only strengthens the friendly relationship, mutual understanding and trust between the two sides, but also provides an opportunity for both sides to learn, exchange, and share experiences about law enforcement at sea.

Representing the host, Rear Admiral Edgar L Ybañez, commander of the Coast Guard Fleet under the Philippine Coast Guard, congratulated the Vietnamese coast guard delegation on successfully completing the drills during their visit to the Manila Port.

Ybañez believes that this event will contribute to strengthening the relationship and cooperation between the two countries’ coast guard forces.

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