Vietnam reiterates willingness to supply ‘quality’ rice to PH

FILE: Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (PCOO photo)

MANILA — Vietnam has reiterated its willingness to supply quality rice to the Philippines amid the latter’s dwindling supply of National Food Authority (NFA) rice, Malacañang said Friday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this statement in a press conference after a bilateral meeting between Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on the sidelines of the 32nd ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting in Singapore.

“The President (Duterte) and Prime Minister (Nguyễn) discussed about the purchased of rice. Vietnam reiterating their willingness to supply quality rice to the Philippines,” Roque said.

Moreover, Roque said that fishermen being arrested for illegal fishing was also discussed with Duterte downplaying the issue.

“Our President is stressing that it’s not a big issue. It’s a small issue since in the end, fishermen are being released anyway,” Roque said.

According to Roque, Nguyễn thanked Duterte after he found that the Philippine President even led the send-off for the arrested Vietnamese fishermen.

He said the two leaders also agreed to strengthen cooperation in terms of security between the two countries. Moreover, the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) was also discussed.

Roque said that for the first time, Nguyễn praised Duterte for the Philippine government’s position on the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“Vietnam said that they looked up to us for our position versus China on discussions on the West Philippine Sea,” Roque said.

“And because of that, there will be stronger cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam in relation to the West Philippine Sea,” he added.