The Philippine Army (PA) is eyeing to boost its defense ties with Singapore following Army commander Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete’s recent meeting with the Singaporean defense attaché to the Philippines.
In a statement Tuesday, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said the two officials met during Col. Geajaindren Mariapan’s courtesy call on Nafarrete at the PA headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday.
“Lt. Gen. Nafarrete expressed his anticipation to potentially deepen defense relations through targeted initiatives and engagements between the Philippines and Singapore,” Dema-ala said.
The two also discussed possible engagements before the 11th Philippines-Singapore Army Working Group Meeting scheduled from Oct. 21 to 23.
The meeting follows the formalization of the Memorandum of Understanding on National Defense Cooperation between the Ministry of National Defense of Singapore and the Philippine Department of National Defense that was signed in Singapore on July 24, 2024.
Dema-ala said the Philippines and Singapore are set to convene with other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members for the 33rd ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet on Nov. 18 to 28, and the 26th ASEAN Chiefs of Army Multilateral Meeting and 13th ASEAN Sergeant Majors Annual Meet from Nov. 25 to 28. (PNA)