Philippines broadens defence ties with Singapore amid China tensions
- Since territorial hostilities between China and the Philippines surged, Manila has taken steps to forge new security alliances
![Philippines’ Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr will sign a new defence pact with Singapore on Wednesday. Photo: AP](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2024/07/24/459c8787-8d06-41d9-8a94-e8a3f67df404_8c3733e6.jpg?itok=hmi8g5nr&v=1721812366)
The Philippines and Singapore signed a defence pact on Wednesday that will allow their militaries to broaden their engagement, but few details were given about how the agreement could help address their security concerns in a region rife with conflicts.
Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr signed the memorandum of understanding with his counterpart in Singapore, Ng Eng Hen, in a ceremony that coincided with the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The agreement, which was not immediately made public, “serves as a framework to guide existing interactions and promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as military education and anti-terrorism,” Singapore’s Defense Ministry said in a brief statement.
It aims to “foster closer people-to-people links” and builds on an existing agreement on education, training aid and support activities for humanitarian help and disaster relief, the ministry added, without elaborating.
A Singaporean and two Philippine officials said the agreement is not a so-called status-of-forces agreement that the Philippines has signed with three countries, including the United States, which allows large-scale joint combat exercises.
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