Philippines' Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that they agreed with Vietnam to refrain from arresting and detaining fisherman from both sides that are caught poaching and crossing the contested boundaries.
During the interview with reporters, the defense secretary said that General Ngo Xuan Lich, Vietnam's Minister of Defense, agreed with the proposal of the Philippines to avoid arresting and detaining fishermen caught illegally fishing in the territorial boundaries.
Secretary Lorenzana went on a 3-day visit to Hanoi, Vietnam where the two defense chiefs discussed security challenges, defense relations, and the recurring incidents of encroachment among illegal fishermen.
Upon the request of Hanoi, President Rodrigo Duterte, in November 2017, freed a group of Vietnamese fishermen caught violating the Philippine Fisheries Code. The 20 fishermen were caught on May 19 last year on a Malaysian-registered fishing vessel. It carries 50 pieces of sharks and rays when they were caught on the Mangsee Island in Balabac town. The vessel and the crew were apprehended by the Philippine navy's patrol crew 32 miles southeast of Mangsee Island, Balabac located near Malaysia.
According to Mario Basaya, Palawan field officer of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, there are 3 vessels but they only caught one in Mangsee because it could not run while the two other escaped. Vo Quoc Phong, the captain of the vessel, said that they did not know that they have already entered the Philippine territory when the Philippine Navy caught them.
Lorenzana emphasized that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) needs to agree with China on the proposed code of conduct to manage maritime disputes in the South China Sea. Philippines and Vietnam are among the claimants of contested South China Sea.
The defense secretary is scheduled to meet with the United States Defense Assistant Secretary Joseph Felter on March 21. They are expected to review the Mutual Defense Treaty between the two nations. Lorenzana expressed his concern about the continuing conflict between China and the United States. He sought to clarify the extent of the aid of the western country to the Philippines.
Recently, United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced recently that any attack on the Philippines forces, aircraft, or public vessels in the South China Sea will trigger mutual defense obligations under the Mutual Defense Treaty.
Recently, Vietnam challenged China's dominance over the South China Sea by pushing for a pact that will outlaw many of China's on-going activities in the disputed waters.
