PH, Vietnam forge pact to prevent South China Sea incidents; to set up hotline
The Philippines and Vietnam forged an agreement that aims to prevent and manage incidents in the South China Sea.

The Understanding on Incident Prevention and Management in the South China Sea was among the agreements signed during Marcos' state visit in Vietnam on Tuesday, Jan. 30.
Under the pact, both nations agreed to enhance coordination regarding maritime issues bilaterally, within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and with other dialogue partners, with both sides intensifying efforts to promote trust, confidence, and understanding, through dialogue and cooperative activities.
It was disclosed that a hotline communication mechanism will be established between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) will be established.
The hotline mechanism will be established under a separate memorandum of understanding (MOU) on maritime cooperation.
It is aimed at strengthening the understanding, mutual trust, and confidence between the two parties through development of a Joint Coast Guard Committee to discuss common issues and interests between the countries' respective Coast Guards.
In his opening statement at the bilateral meeting with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong, Marcos stressed that maritime cooperation is the foundation of both countries' strategic partnership, highlighting that Vietnam remains the sole strategic partner of the Philippines in the ASEAN region.
"Vietnam remains the sole Strategic Partner of the Philippines in the ASEAN region, and I am hopeful that this meeting will provide fresh opportunities to reinforce our bilateral relations with the aim of fostering peace and prosperity between our two countries and in the region," Marcos said.
Meanwhile, a Cultural Cooperation Program between the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for the period of 2024-2029 was also signed.
During the meeting, five agreements were forged. These were the MOU on Rice Trade Cooperation, Understanding on Incident Prevention and Management in the South China Sea, MOU on Cooperation in Agriculture and Related Fields, MOU between the PCG and the VCG on Maritime Cooperation, and Cultural Cooperation Program between the NCCA of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for the Period of 2024-2029.
Marcos will be back in the country on Jan. 31.