SAF stands ready to assist Philippines in counter-terror efforts: Dr Ng

To show support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP's) efforts against terrorists in Marawi and Mindanao, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has offered its assistance. This included a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) C-130 transport plane to deliver humanitarian aid supplies to evacuees from Marawi; usage of the SAF's urban training facility for the AFP, and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) unit to enhance the AFP's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

"Many countries are looking at how the situation (in Marawi and Mindanao) evolves, because all of us know that if the situation is not contained, or if terrorist cells or terrorist elements entrench themselves in any part of ASEAN, they will launch attacks against other cities."

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen made this point during an interview on 19 Jul at the end of a two-day visit to the Philippines. During the visit, he met Philippine Secretary of National Defence Delfin Lorenzana. He said that Mr Lorenzana expressed his appreciation and in-principle acceptance of the offer from Singapore.

Both Dr Ng and Mr Lorenzana agreed that there was a need for urgent and greater regional and international cooperation to ensure that extremism and terrorism do not become entrenched in Southeast Asia.

Noting that other provinces are at risk even if the situation in Marawi is contained, Dr Ng added that ISIS-linked elements and other extremist groups have "formed networks and intend to advance their plans to turn Southeast Asia into a situation similar to Iraq and Syria".

"I think the repercussions cannot be overestimated. We have seen to some degree what happened after the Bali bomb blasts The same can happen if the situation worsens, whether it is in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia or Singapore. Therefore, I think we have to combat this threat together."

Singapore and the Philippines share warm defence ties. Earlier in January, the Singapore and the Philippines militaries cooperated closely to conduct Exercise Coordinated Response, the first multinational Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise hosted by the SAF's Changi Regional HADR Coordination Centre.