Manila, Hanoi renew call for SCS Code of Conduct
Credit to Author: DEMPSEY REYES| Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2019 16:25:33 +0000
The Philippines and Vietnam have renewed their call for a fast adoption of a Code of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
Lorenzana went to Hanoi on Monday for bilateral talks with Vietnam’s Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich.
He disclosed on Friday that he and Lich discussed how Manila and Hanoi could navigate a long-standing dispute in the South China Sea involving not only the Philippines and Vietnam but also China, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei Darussalam.
Hanoi has been known for its stance over the South China Sea, always calling out Beijing for its alleged militarization of reefs and islands in the contested sea.
“[We discussed] how to navigate the issue in the face of Chinese increased activity. We both agreed that the CoC should be pursued and concluded in the fastest time possible,” Lorenzana told reporters.
He said he did not have an agreement with Lich “on anything,” but only agreed to deal with their own “peculiar circumstances” amid China’s moves in the disputed waters.
The Philippine government has apparently been taking the South China Sea row lightly, with President Rodrigo Duterte and his spokesman downplaying the activities of Beijing there by saying that Manila cannot afford to fight such a big and powerful country like China.
The Philippine military, at the same time, has been referring queries concerning the South China Sea dispute to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Lorenzana and Lich’s meeting was held amid reports that Chinese ships have been prohibiting Filipino fishing vessels from going near sandbars of Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the South China Sea.
The government and the Philippine military had denied the reports, saying they have even been encouraging fishermen to go near the sandbars.
The post Manila, Hanoi renew call for SCS Code of Conduct appeared first on The Manila Times Online.