'Singapore-PH trade, defense ties strong'
THE robust trade and defense relations between Singapore and the Philippines contribute to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, Singapore's envoy to Manila said. Ambassador Constance See hailed the ties between the two countries during the port call in Manila of the Singapore Navy ship, RSS Endeavour. See said the goodwill visit from Feb. 13 to 16 reflected the strong bilateral relations between the two countries. On Feb. 14, the Endeavour hosted a reception for over 100 guests from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine government officials, the diplomatic community and the Singaporean community in the Philippines. Deputy Commander of the Maritime Training and Doctrine Command Col. Wong Chng Tong and Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Wong Ka Ming hosted the event. See and the Philippine Navy's Commander of the Sealift Amphibious Force Commodore Ireneo Battung were among the guests. "The Philippines is a like-minded country that respects and promotes international law," she said. See stressed that it was "imperative that all countries work together to resolve any differences through dialogue and diplomacy." She added that Singapore was happy to "work with the Philippines, as well as other Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states, and regional and international partners, to continue to uphold international law." The Endeavour's visit "to a fellow founding member of Asean was a testament to both countries' commitment to Asean centrality and unity," See said. The Endeavour's port call was part of the Singapore Navy's Midshipman Sea Training Deployment program. During the visit, the midshipmen interacted with their counterparts from the Philippine Navy through various activities, including sports. See said the bilateral defense relationship has made significant strides in the past two years. Singapore and the Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation last July, which built on a 2023 agreement concerning the conduct of education, training assistance and support activities on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The Singapore Armed Forces contributed to the relief operations after Severe Tropical Storm Kristine hit the Philippines in October. The Singapore Air Force deployed a C-130 transport aircraft, which flew 16 sorties and delivered 70 tons of emergency supplies to storm-stricken communities.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
THE robust trade and defense relations between Singapore and the Philippines contribute to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, Singapore's envoy to Manila said.
Ambassador Constance See hailed the ties between the two countries during the port call in Manila of the Singapore Navy ship, RSS Endeavour.
See said the goodwill visit from Feb. 13 to 16 reflected the strong bilateral relations between the two countries.
On Feb. 14, the Endeavour hosted a reception for over 100 guests from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine government officials, the diplomatic community and the Singaporean community in the Philippines.
Deputy Commander of the Maritime Training and Doctrine Command Col. Wong Chng Tong and Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Wong Ka Ming hosted the event.
See and the Philippine Navy's Commander of the Sealift Amphibious Force Commodore Ireneo Battung were among the guests.
"The Philippines is a like-minded country that respects and promotes international law," she said.
See stressed that it was "imperative that all countries work together to resolve any differences through dialogue and diplomacy."
She added that Singapore was happy to "work with the Philippines, as well as other Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states, and regional and international partners, to continue to uphold international law."
The Endeavour's visit "to a fellow founding member of Asean was a testament to both countries' commitment to Asean centrality and unity," See said.
The Endeavour's port call was part of the Singapore Navy's Midshipman Sea Training Deployment program.
During the visit, the midshipmen interacted with their counterparts from the Philippine Navy through various activities, including sports.
See said the bilateral defense relationship has made significant strides in the past two years.
Singapore and the Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation last July, which built on a 2023 agreement concerning the conduct of education, training assistance and support activities on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The Singapore Armed Forces contributed to the relief operations after Severe Tropical Storm Kristine hit the Philippines in October.
The Singapore Air Force deployed a C-130 transport aircraft, which flew 16 sorties and delivered 70 tons of emergency supplies to storm-stricken communities.
