Filipino and Vietnamese forces are scheduled to hold on Sunday friendly games in an island occupied by Vietnam in the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea, multiple sources said on Wednesday.
A security official said the games will be held at the Southwest Cay some four to five nautical miles from the Northeast East Cay, occupied by Philippine troops.
“This is the first interaction between the ground troops,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“There have been many interactions with other countries at the (Navy) headquarters level, even with the Vietnamese Navy. This time, its ground troops who are interacting with each other,” he added.
The Southwest Cay was previously occupied by Filipino forces but was seized by Vietnamese troops some 40 years ago, when the Filipinos left their post for a short period.
The official said the plan was for Filipino and Vietnamese troops occupying the two islands to engage in sports.
Another official said the games will either be football or volleyball while yet another source said the games could include volleyball, basketball and tug-of-war.
The security official said the Philippines and Vietnam sides began discussions on the friendly competitions ins 2013.
This is the first time claimant-countries countries will interact in the Spratly Islands. The disputed territory is also claimed by China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.
The security official said the games are meant for the two sides to “have a good working relations…this is to foster camaraderie and good working relations with other countries.”
“This is to ease the tension also, that is the objective. We can solve this (dispute) through peaceful means which is anchored on our peaceful resolution and rules-based approach,” the official said.
“We are hoping this will be the model, a model for others to emulate. This the first time actually. Hopefully, we’ll have one with the other countries,” he added. -NB, GMA News
