News Story: 2 Vietnamese fishermen dead as Philippine patrol ship makes arrest for poaching

MANILA, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Navy said on Sunday that two Vietnamese fishermen were found dead inside their fishing boat that was apprehended over the weekend by sailors on patrol in the waters off Pangasinan province north of Manila.

The Philippine Navy spokesman Lt. Jose Covarrubias said five other Vietnamese fishermen were arrested and are now detained at a police jail in Bolinao, a town on the west coast of the Philippine main Luzon Island.

Covarrubias said the Philippine Navy ship accosted the Vietnamese fishing vessel about 30 nautical miles West of Bolinao for poaching.

Covarrubias said the Vietnamese boat rammed the Philippine Navy patrol ship. he said he could not yet say what caused the death of the two fishermen and if shots were fired during the arrests, saying an investigation is underway to look deeper into the incident.

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News Story: Vietnam, Philippines need mechanism for antipiracy cooperation

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and the Philippines should develop a mechanism for anti-piracy cooperation in the future to ensure maritime security and safety, said Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army Senior Lieutenant General Pham Ngoc Minh.

Minh made the statement at a reception on August 16 for Commander of the Philippine Navy Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph S.Mercado who was on a visit to Vietnam to strengthen bilateral ties between Vietnam and the Philippines in defence and navy and discuss collaboration between the two navies.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

News Story: Sayyaf executes another Vietnamese

By Roel Pareño

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Abu Sayyaf terrorists have executed another of their Vietnamese captives in a village in Sulu, authorities reported.

Military men recovered the bullet-riddled body believed to be that of Tran Khac Dung, alias Tran Viet Van, from Barangay Buhanginan in Patikul town last July 8.

Reports said the body was recovered hours after troops encountered several members of the Abu Sayyaf. It could not be immediately ascertained if the victim was killed during the gun battle.

The Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) turned over the body to the police Anti-Kidnapping Group last Monday for proper disposition.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: Philippine troops rescue Vietnamese hostage from Abu Sayyaf

MANILA, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Philippine troops on Friday rescued a Vietnamese sailor in Basilan who was captured by the Abu Sayyaf militants last November and held there for more than seven months.

The military said in a statement that troops recovered victim Hoang Vo, a crew member of MV Royal 16, around 8:30 a.m. on Friday. He was promptly given medical attention by the medical team and is currently in stable condition.

"Vo escaped from the hands of Abu Sayyaf members who dispersed due to the airstrikes and artillery fires delivered by the troops," the statement read.

The statement said Vo, 28, was from Nghe An in Vietnam, He reportedly sustained a wound in the back when recovered.

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News Story: Vietnam settles East (South China) Sea disputes by peaceful measures

Hanoi (VNA) – Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang on April 9 stressed Vietnam’s consistent stance on settling disputes in the East (South China) Sea by peaceful measures in line with international law.

Hang made the statement in reply to reporters’ question on Vietnam’s reaction to the information that Philippine President Duterte has ordered the military to occupy all Philippines-claimed features that have not been occupied by any parties in the East Sea, and he may visit Thi Tu Island in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

Vietnam is keeping a close watch and verifying the information, Hang said. 

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News Story: President Duterte - Philippines, Vietnam should step up cooperation

Manila (VNA) – The Philippines and Vietnam should work to strengthen bilateral cooperation across sectors in line with the strategic partnership established in 2015, said Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

President Duterte made the statement while receiving Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Ly Quoc Tuan, who came to present his credentials. 

The President lauded growing relations between the two countries in the past and wished Vietnam greater successes in its national development cause.

For his part, Tuan congratulated the Philippines on its growth achievements, stating that Vietnam is committed to strengthening cooperation in the fields of mutual concern and deepening the bilateral strategic partnership.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus