Visiting forces agreement between Phl, Singapore under review

Manila, Philippines -  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.

Galvez stressed conducting joint exercises has advantages as this provides Filipino troops opportunities to learn from their foreign counterparts.

“It can improve interoperability which is useful in times of disasters,” Galvez said.

The drills could boost the troops’ capabilities against transnational crimes like terrorism, piracy and human trafficking, he added. 

Galvez also described the ties between the Philippines and Singapore as “warm and cordial.”

A treaty should be approved by Malacañang before it is transmitted to the Senate for ratification. It can only be enforced once it secures the concurrence of senators.

In 1999, the Senate ratified the visiting forces agreement with the United States, the first treaty of its kind to be approved by the body.

The agreement was ratified amid criticisms by militant groups who claim that it infringes upon the country’s sovereignty.

The treaty paved way for the return of US troops to the Philippines in 2002, a decade after the shutdown of their bases here.

The status of visiting forces agreement or SOVFA with Australia has also been submitted to the Senate for ratification.

The Senate, however, adjourned last Wednesday without approving the agreement.