Philippines and Singapore broaden defense ties with a new agreement

Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines and Singapore have signed a defense pact 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. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. signed the memorandum of understanding on Wednesday with his counterpart in Singapore, Ng Eng Hen. The agreement was not immediately made public. The Philippine government has taken steps to forge new security alliances with a number of Asian and Western countries and allowed a U.S. military presence at more Philippine bases under a 2014 defense pact. Territorial hostilities between China and the Philippines have surged since last year in the South China Sea.