Manila, May 7 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vietnamese Prime Minister L on Thursday agreed to establish a "long-term rice trade mechanism" aimed at ensuring stable supply and strengthening food security cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam.

The agreement was discussed during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit here.

Both leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing agricultural cooperation amid regional and global supply concerns.

The two officials also discussed expanding collaboration in combating transnational crimes, including scam hubs and human trafficking, as well as strengthening tourism cooperation between the two countries.

Marcos ...