Philippine Army (PA) chief Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete (right) presents a memento to Defense Attaché of Singapore to the Philippines Col. Geajaindren Mariapan during the latter's courtesy call at the Headquarters Philippine Army, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on October 6, 2025. (Photo: PA)
The Philippine Army (PA) has expressed intention to deepen military cooperation with Singapore as part of ongoing efforts to enhance bilateral defense relations and promote regional security collaboration.
PA Commanding General Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete made the remark during a meeting with Col. Geajaindren Mariapan, defense attaché of Singapore to the Philippines, who paid a courtesy call at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday, Oct. 6.
Nafarrete emphasized that strengthening ties with Singapore will advance shared objectives in defense modernization, interoperability, and professional military education.
He noted that both armies have maintained a longstanding partnership founded on mutual trust, regional cooperation, and a shared commitment to peace and stability in Southeast Asia.
The meeting came after the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on National Defense Cooperation signed by the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Ministry of National Defense (MINDEF) of Singapore on July 24, 2024 in Singapore.
The MOU serves as a framework for expanding collaboration in areas such as joint training, defense exchanges, information sharing, and capability development.
Discussions between the two officials focused on potential cooperative activities ahead of the 11th Philippines–Singapore Army Working Group Meeting, set for Oct. 21 to 23, which will evaluate ongoing initiatives and identify new opportunities for cooperation.
Both sides also acknowledged upcoming regional military engagements under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) framework, particularly the 33rd ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM) from November 18 to 28, and the 26th ASEAN Chiefs of Army Multilateral Meeting (ACAMM) together with the 13th ASEAN Sergeant Majors Annual Meeting (ASMAM) from November 25 to 28.