Visiting forces agreement between Phl, Singapore under review

A proposed visiting forces agreement between the Philippines and Singapore is now being reviewed by the Department of National Defense (DND).

DND spokesman Peter Galvez said they are now gathering inputs on the agreement, which aims to enhance the interoperability of Philippine and Singaporean militaries.

“It (proposed visiting forces deal with Singapore) is under review and we are looking into comments and experiences so that it will be well-crafted,” Galvez told The STAR in a phone interview Wednesday.

Galvez said the Philippines and Singapore had a military training agreement in 1994. He said the joint exercises were suspended in 1996 after it was learned that there are portions of the deal that requires

Senate ratification.

The agreement, called the Anoa-Singa bilateral exercises, allowed hundreds of Singaporean troops to train in key military camps like Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija and Fort Bonifacio in Taguig.

A military source who participated in the short-lived exercise told The STAR the trainings were halted amid the controversy surrounding the execution of Filipina domestic helper Flor Contemplacion in Singapore.

The agreement is similar to the proposed visiting forces deals that the Philippines entered into with the United States and Australia.

It also has provisions on the conduct of joint military drills and training, the movement and use of equipment and the jurisdiction of soldiers accused of crimes.

“Singapore eventually submitted (a draft agreement) late 2007, which is now under study,” Galvez said.

The DND has no time frame as to when

it intends to finalize the agreement.

“It is a legal matter so we have to look at every angle,” Galvez said.

Galvez, however, said the government remains open to enhancing its defense ties with other countries.

“We are open to looking into having visiting forces agreement with other countries,” he said.