Defence Minister Ng in the Philippines to Discuss Regional Security Issues and Counter-Terrorism Efforts

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen met Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana in the Philippines earlier today.

During the meeting, Dr Ng and Secretary Lorenzana reaffirmed the two countries' warm and friendly defence relationship, and the close cooperation on the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and the ADMM-Plus. Dr Ng also received a detailed update on the security situation in the southern Philippines and the Sulu Sea, and the progress of the military campaign against terrorist groups there. Both ministers also discussed ideas on enhancing defence cooperation and how the Singapore Armed Forces could support the Armed Forces of the Philippines in its counter-terrorism efforts.

Dr Ng's visit underscores the warm and friendly defence relationship between Singapore and the Philippines. Both countries' armed forces interact regularly through visits, professional exchanges, cross-attendance of courses, and multilateral exercises such as the ADMM-Plus Maritime Security and Counter-Terrorism Exercise in May 2016.