PH to push for cooperation, not conflict in South China Sea

The Philippines will push for concrete steps to ensure that the disputed South China Sea would be a source of cooperation, not conflict, with its strategic partner Vietnam. It also plans to scale up maritime cooperation and forge stronger partnership in key areas during the two-day official visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to Vietnam. The Chief Executive left Wednesday on board Philippine Airlines flight PR 001 at about 1:56 p.m. bound for Hanoi. Duterte is visiting Vietnam upon the invitation of its President, Tran Dai Quang. Joining the President in his visit to Hanoi are Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Francis Escudero, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, Secretary to the Cabinet Leoncio Evasco, and Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Noel Servigon. RENEWING TIES OF FRIENDSHIP In his departure statement, Duterte said he [...]