Philippines, Vietnam renew defense ties to boost maritime security
Philippines' Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro (R) holds a bilateral meeting with Vietnam's Defence Minister Phan Van Giang at a hotel in Manila on June 1, 2026. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)
The Philippines and Vietnam agreed to strengthen defence ties on Monday to help bolster maritime security in the region and maintain peace in the disputed South China Sea.
The Southeast Asian countries are among the nations in the region — including China — to lay claims to the Spratly chain, which sits near vital shipping lanes and is reputedly rich in minerals.
After a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart To Lam in Manila, Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos said the partnership has become "increasingly important" as the region navigates uncertainty "marked by geopolitical fragmentation".
