THE PHILIPPINES and Singapore stand united in pursuing peace and stability in the Southeast Asian region amid overlapping territorial claims.
Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge (OIC) Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. and Singaporean Ambassador to Manila Gerard Ho made this commitment during a meeting at the DND headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on August 3.
"The two sides exchanged views on the security situation in the region. Acknowledging the realities of strategic competition and overlapping territorial claims, both sides concurred on the significance of maintaining peace and stability in the region as well as strengthening cooperation with partners," DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement late Thursday.
The meeting also highlighted that the Philippines and Singapore are like-minded countries that share common security concerns.
"Senior Undersecretary Faustino recalled exchanges between the Armed Forces of the Philippines with its Singaporean counterparts during his time at the Philippine Army and expressed satisfaction over how far Philippines-Singapore defense relations have come since then. The Ambassador also noted bilateral exchanges and raised the pending discussions on frameworks of cooperation between the defense establishments of the two countries," Andolong said.
He also added that Singapore envisions itself as a long-term partner of the Philippines.
Ho also hoped that such frameworks of cooperation would be concluded soon.
"The OIC, DND assured the Ambassador that the DND will work with relevant agencies in following up the pending review of proposed frameworks between the Philippines and Singapore," Andolong said.
Andolong added that Ho welcomed Manila's participation in the Fullerton Forum and the Shangri-La Dialogue, which is known as Asia's annual premiere defense forum hosted by Singapore.
"He also welcomed opportunities for the OIC, DND to visit Singapore," he added. (Priam Nepomuceno)
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