The Philippines and Vietnam have agreed to create a Joint Coast Guard Committee (JCGC) to protect their mutual interests in the South China Sea.

The creation of the JCGC was sealed during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on maritime cooperation between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Vietnamese Coast Guard (VCG) in Hanoi on Tuesday, Jan. 30.

Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan, commandant of PCG, and Maj. Gen. Le Quang Dao, commander of VCG, signed the pact which "strengthens the two parties' understanding, mutual trust, and confidence" through the development of the JCGC.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong witnessed the exchange of bilateral documents between the two Coast Guard officials during the former's state visit to Vietnam.

Gavan stressed that the JCGC seeks to "discuss common issues and interests and establish a hotline communication mechanism between the PCG and VCG."

"This will enhance the strategic partnership and cooperation between the two Coast Guards toward promoting, preserving, and protecting mutual interest in the Southeast Asian region," Gavan said on Wednesday, Jan. 31.

Both Manila and Hanoi have competing maritime claims in the Spratly Islands, locally known as Kalayaan Island Group, in the South China Sea, a key waterway which most parts are claimed by China.

The MOU consists of five articles with its main content focused on the strengthening of the hotline mechanism between the PCG and VCG.

Under the MOU, both coast guards shall also develop maritime projects, programs and activities; and consider agreements that can be implemented in accordance with international law, the law of each country, and international treaty where both countries are members.

The decision to create a JCGC can be traced back to the agreement signed by the PCG and VCG on Oct. 26, 2011 which sought to establish a hotline mechanism that enabled them to share the operation of their ships and boats, and promptly notify related maritime cases. 

According to the VCG, the hotline communication channel "has been seriously and effectively maintained" by the two sides. 

This contributed to the maintenance of normal activities at sea and the marine environment, enhancement of search and rescue capabilities, protection of seafood resources, and prevention of illegal actions such as illegal fishing, piracy, and armed robbery on the waters bordering the two countries.

However, to deepen and expand the scope of cooperation of the pact, the leaders of the two forces decided to upgrade the hot line agreement to an MOU on maritime cooperation.

"This activity contributes to strengthening the cooperation relationship between the Vietnam Coast Guard and the Philippine Coast Guard, both in terms of breadth and depth, especially the common mechanism, in order to promote and improve the efficiency of communication and law enforcement at sea between the two forces on the basis of conformity with international law, serving the common goal of the two countries on maritime cooperation," the VCG noted.

After the signing of the MOU, the two forces are expected to hold their first bilateral meeting in April in Vietnam, according to the VCG.