DWDD: OFFER OF SUPPORT | SND receives Singapore Defense Minister

Posted to DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Jul 19): OFFER OF SUPPORT | SND receives Singapore Defense Minister



Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana and Singapore’s Minister of Defense Dr. Ng Eng Hen discussed Singapore’s offer of support during the official visit of Defense Minister Dr. Ng Eng Hen to Manila on July 18, 2017.

CAMP GEN EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City (DWDD) – The challenge posed by violent extremism is a problem for all of us in the region; hence the PH could count on the support of Singapore in its fight against the Maute-ISIS in Marawi. This was personally conveyed by Singapore’s Minister of Defense Dr. Ng Eng Hen to Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana when the two ministers met in Manila today (July 18).

Secretary Lorenzana expressed appreciation for Singapore’s offer to provide assistance for ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance), transport of supplies for the rehabilitation of Marawi and training relative to built up cities. Minister Ng also offered the utilization of Singapore’s HA/DR Center to galvanize foreign contributions for the reconstruction of Marawi. Originally put up to coordinate foreign assistance to Southeast Asian countries devastated by natural calamities, Minister Ng said that the center could likewise be used for Marawi’s rehabiliation.

Agreeing in principle as regards to Singapore’s offer, Secretary Lorenzana instructed the AFP to examine the ISR capabilities that Singapore is ready to provide. Singapore’s provision of C-130 to help transport supplies and provision of training regarding building up cities are things the AFP could readily avail of, Secretary Lorenzana said.

Meanwhile, both ministers expressed their respective support to each other’s chairmanship of ASEAN. The Philippines is ASEAN’s chair for 2017, something it will pass on to Singapore which will chair ASEAN next year. Secretary Lorenzana acknowledged that coordination between the current and incoming chairs, like what the Philippines and Singapore are doing, is a best practice that could be emulated by succeeding chairs of ASEAN. This is to ensure continuity of programs and projects launched by an ASEAN chairman. PAS DND / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/07/19/offer-of-support-snd-receives-singapore-defense-minister/