Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippines and Singapore have signed a defence pact that will allow their militaries to broaden their engagement, including holding joint exercises to prepare for humanitarian emergencies and other contingencies.
Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. inked the memorandum of understanding with his counterpart in Singapore, Ng Eng Hen, in a ceremony held on June 24. Details of the agreement have not yet been disclosed.
The information came as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration has taken steps to forge new security alliances with a number of Asian and Western countries.
In his speech to the Philippine Congress on July 22, Marcos stressed that his country will build security alliances with friendly countries.
Earlier this month, the Philippines and Japan signed a defence pact named the Reciprocal Access Agreement, allowing the deployment of their forces in each other’s territory for joint military exercises. The agreement will take effect after it is ratified by the Philippine and Japanese legislatures./.
