SG champions freedom of navigation as Navy ship caps PH visit
Philippine News Agency
By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
February 16, 2025, 1:30 pm
MANILA -- Singapore vowed to uphold the principles of freedom of navigation and overflight in the region as it steps up its military engagements with the Philippines.
At a reception for the goodwill visit of Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) landing ship tank RSS Endeavor to Manila on Friday, Singaporean Ambassador Constance See said the city state will continue working with the Philippines and other Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states to promote international law.
As a country whose trade is threefold greater than its gross domestic product, Singapore places "extreme importance" on freedom of navigation and overflight as principles of international law, according to See.
In a statement Sunday, See underscored the need for countries to "work together to resolve any differences through dialogue and diplomacy," an apparent reference to the ongoing maritime row between coastal states over the South China Sea.
The visit of RSS Endeavor on Feb. 13 to 16 was the first RSN port call in the Philippine capital in 26 years.
The visit is part of the Midshipman Sea Training Deployment program, where Singaporean midshipmen put what they learned into practice during their maiden voyage.
During the visit, the RSN midshipmen interacted with their counterparts from the Philippine Navy through various activities, including sports, the Singaporean Embassy said.
Singapore and the Philippines signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation in July 2024, which builds on a 2023 agreement concerning the conduct of education, training assistance and support activities on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. (PNA)
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