Measures taken to protect Vietnamese citizens in Philippines
(VOVWORLD) -The Foreign Ministry has taken measures to protect Vietnamese citizens in the Philippines following reports that the Philippine coast guard fired at a fishing vessel from Phu Yen province, killing two and seizing a number of other fishermen.
Immediately after receiving the report, the ministry instructed the Vietnamese Embassy in the Philippines to contact relevant agencies in the country to verify the information and take appropriate measures to protect citizens.
During a meeting with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Sunday, on the sidelines of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh voiced concerns on the use of violence against fishermen and requested that the Philippines quickly investigates the case.
Representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy have made a consular visit to the detained fishermen and sought more information on the case. The Embassy will continue to urge the Philippines to conduct a thorough investigation and inform Vietnam on the official outcomes at the earliest opportunity, as well as to mete out due punishment on any detected wrongdoings on the side of the Philippine force.