President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. is pushing for a dialogue between the Philippines and Vietnam to discuss maritime concerns.
This comes after some Vietnamese vessels were spotted within the country's exclusive economic zones last February and March.
"We have to find a way. Sabi ko huwag ‘yung ganito na nag-a-ano tayo, mag-usap tayo nang mabuti," Marcos told the media in an interview on Thursday, May 12.
According to the President, he already asked Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and the Foreign Minister of Vietnam to start the talk and come up with an agreement to prevent the potential maritime dispute.
"Dahil hindi naman contentious – it’s something that we never had to worry about before, ngayon lang. Kaya’t kailangan habang maaga eh pag-usapan na natin at makahanap na tayo ng sarili nating usapan," Marcos underscored.
"Maliwag nga na hindi magkagulo, hindi magka-incident ng mga nangyayari sa atin ngayon," he added.
In February, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that it flagged a Vietnamese vessel engaged in long-line fishing in the Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea.
The Coast Guard also announced at least 20 Chinese and Vietnamese vessels were spotted during BRP Malapascua's maritime patrol (MARPAT) mission in Sabina Shoal on March 20.
