The Department of National Defense looks forward to better ties between the Philippines and Vietnam with the coming of their Defense Minister, Gen. Phan Van Giang on Friday, August 30.
In an open forum during the International Military Law and Operations Conference (MILOPS 24) on Tuesday, it was announced that Vietnam would sign defense cooperation agreements, which could further mutual support between the defense and military sectors of both countries.
“On the state level side, Vietnam was one of the countries our President visited in order to forge greater ties and relationships, intra-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and I believe that a South China Sea way forward was part of the conversation between our President and the Vietnamese President at that time,” Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said.
“So (we) do see fertile ground for working together in order to get a level of confidence and trust," he said.
Teodoro implored for an increase in support so that the Philippines would not become a victim in holding firm to its sovereign rights.
“Please help the Philippines be, as (US) Ambassador Carlson said, ‘A global leader in enforcing and upholding rules-based international order, norms of international law,’ and do not let the Philippines be a victim for standing up to international law,” he said.
Not only is the Philippines asserting its sovereignty and sovereign rights, it has also become a test case for interpretations of international law as agreed upon by the global community, in this case, interpretations on the law of the sea, declared the defense head.
“I'd like to carry on from the statement of Ambassador Carlson, that the venue of this conference was both deliberate and significant. Indeed, the Philippines is at the forefront of upholding international law on this side of the world,” he stated.
