During their stay in the Philippines, the Vietnam Coast Guard delegation and Ship CSB 8002 carried out several activities, including paying courtesy calls on Cebu City's authorities and Commander of the Central Visayas Region of the Philippine Coast Guard. Notably, officers and crew members of the Vietnamese delegation joined the Philippine Coast Guard in assisting local authorities and residents in Bogo Province with post-disaster recovery efforts following Typhoon Bualoi and the earthquake. The delegation provided one ton of rice, essential supplies, and free medical check-ups and medicines for more than 300 affected residents.
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Rear Admiral Agapito B. Bibat (center) bidding farewell to Major General Tran Quang Tuan |
During the meetings with the Vietnamese delegation, the Mayor and Governor of Cebu City, along with the Commander of the Central Visayas Region of the Philippine Coast Guard, expressed their pleasure and appreciation in welcoming the Vietnam Coast Guard delegation and Ship CSB 8002 to Cebu. They hoped that the visit would further strengthen cooperation between the two coast guard forces in particular, as well as between the local authorities and people of the Philippines and Vietnam in general, thereby contributing to the overall enhancement of the comprehensive cooperation between the two governments.
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A traditional performance by the Philippine Coast Guard during the farewell event |
Immediately after departing Cebu Port Pier 5, Ship CSB 8002 joined vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard, including Vessels 4411 and 4407, and two boats, in a joint maritime exercise on search and rescue, firefighting, and oil spill response. After a full day of coordinated drills, all training activities were completed safely.
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The Vietnam Coast Guard delegation bidding farewell to the Philippine Coast Guard |
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Vessels from both forces conducting a firefighting exercise at sea |
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Maneuvering into joint formation |
The Vietnam Coast Guard participants were highly praised by the Commander of the Central Visayas Region, for their professional expertise, operational skills, and proficiency in maneuvering, rescue operations, and casualty response at sea. Although the joint exercise was brief, it was conducted on a relatively large scale with scenarios closely resembling real-life situations faced by both forces. The training provided the VCG with valuable opportunities to learn and gain experience from their Philippine counterparts, while also strengthening mutual understanding in methods and procedures for responding to maritime incidents such as fires, oil spills, search and rescue operations.
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The Vietnam Coast Guard’s joint exercise command center aboard Ship CSB 8002 |
The joint maritime exercise concluded with a farewell ceremony. Ship CSB 8002 then departed the Philippines for Vietnam, carrying with it lasting impressions of friendship, mutual understanding, and trust between the governments and peoples of the two nations. The visit has helped further deepen the cooperation and development between the Vietnam Coast Guard and the Philippine Coast Guard, contributing to the shared goal of maintaining peace and stability in the region’s seas.
Translated by Ninh Vinh – Hoang Truong