Phl, Vietnam call for resolution of sea dispute
DAVAO CITY – The Philippines and Vietnam have reaffirmed their commit- ment to maintaining and promoting regional peace, security, stability and un- impeded commerce, particularly in the disputed South China Sea.
“We called for the peaceful resolution of disputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, self-restraint in the conduct of activities, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” President Duterte said upon his arrival at the Davao International Airport from Hanoi before dawn yesterday.
“We are nations for peace and we will continue to be so. A peaceful region is what we owe as legacy to our succeeding generations,” the President said.
The President met with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguhen Xuan Phuc and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong of the Central Committee during his two-day working visit to Hanoi. The President declined to give details of the meeting with Vietnamese officials “because I do not have the authority from them.”
He emphasized many of the points discussed were not for public consumption but were focused on “serving the nations’ respective interests.”
“In my meeting with President Tran Dai Quang, we committed to ramp up bilateral exchanges to boost our strategic partnership. My trip to Hanoi was another step forward in further solidifying the valuable ties between our nations and peoples.”
Duterte said that aside from identifying new avenues for defense cooperation, the two countries also agreed to strengthen existing maritime cooperation mechanisms.
“We will adopt measures to ensure the safety and security of fishermen from both countries. We will explore ways to intensify law enforcement cooperation against transnational crime, including the illegal drug trade,” he said.
“We recognized that sustained economic growth and development rides on the back of stable and secure environment,” he added.
“We agreed to increase the exchanges between our officials and peoples and establish a sixyear action plan starting 2017 for the implementation of activities in the areas of common interest,” the President said.
“We have also agreed to increase the volume and achieve a more balanced trade and investment. We will enhance the investment environment to make it more conducive for businesses in both countries to flourish,” he revealed.
“My official visit to Vietnam demonstrated our adherence to an independent foreign policy which seeks cooperation and collaboration with friendly nations on the basis of sovereign equality, non-interference and mutual respect to protect our national interests,” he pointed out.
The President also cited the warm welcome he received from the Filipino community in Vietnam. “They are our hardworking
kababayans who continue to contribute to the social and economic development of their host nation and our own country. I informed them of developments in our country and I assured them – as I have assured you – that I will be faithful to the mandate you have reposed in me as your President,” he added.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the President has ordered the release of Vietnamese fishermen recently caught poaching in Philippine waters as a gesture of “goodwill.”
“President Duterte promised to release the 17 to 29 Vietnamese fishermen who have been arrested for poaching,” Aguirre said.
The DOJ chief said the Philippines and Vietnam regard each other as “brothers,” thus ensuring the success of the President’s twoday visit.
But he said there was no reciprocal goodwill gesture from Vietnam. “Actually it was not reciprocated. It was President Duterte who really volunteered the goodwill to the people of Vietnam. He said that the Vietnamese fishermen would return on board a Philippine Airlines flight wherein the expense would be shouldered by the ( Philippine) government,” Aguirre added. –