Philippines, Singapore Agree on Enhanced Defense, Security Cooperation

The Philippines and Singapore agreed on a greater defense and security cooperation after President Benigno S. Aquino III and visiting Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam met in Malacañang on Thursday.

President Aquino said the enhanced defense and security cooperation includes high-level military training, and educational and intelligence exchanges between the two countries.

The Philippines has proposed the holding of a Defense Dialogue to further strengthen this cooperation, he said.

President Aquino welcomed the opportunity to host this year’s Asian Defense and Security Exhibition at the World Trade Center on July 16 to 18.

“I believe that strengthening defense and security cooperation between the Philippines and Singapore is key to maintaining regional stability,” President Aquino said.

He said they also discussed the revival of the Philippines-Singapore Action Plan, as a mechanism for expanding bilateral discussions between the two countries.

The Action Plan provides a consolidated framework for strengthening bilateral cooperation, covering trade and investments, information technology, education, culture, defense, and people-to-people exchanges, he noted.

The President said he looks forward to the implementation of initiatives in these areas, to have a positive impact on relations between the Philippines and Singapore.

He said he and his Singaporean counterpart also had a fruitful dialogue on business and trade cooperation.

The greater transparency, accountability, and integrity in the Philippines today enhance the country’s business climate, he said.

Foreign and local authorities have acknowledged the Philippines’ increased competitiveness as an investment destination and this has created an ideal environment, facilitating growing trade between the Philippines and Singapore, he said.

“We are indeed encouraged by the increasing presence of both Philippine and Singaporean companies in each other’s countries; and we believe this bodes well for the future,” the President said.

President Aquino further said they discussed the expansion of the two countries’ cooperation in infrastructure and construction, tourism facilities, information technology-business process management, shipbuilding, logistics services, and agribusiness.

The Philippines also invited Singapore to participate in the Philippines’ business sector, through the Philippines-Singapore Business Council.

President Aquino thanked his Singaporean counterpart for his government’s hospitality to the estimated 180,000 Filipinos living and working in Singapore.

The presence of Filipinos in Singapore is a vital part of the people-to-people exchanges that foster greater understanding and strengthen relations between the two countries, he said. (PCOO)

Image Credit: pcoo.gov.ph