SINGAPORE — President Tony Tan Keng Yam and visiting Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday (Dec 15) lauded the excellent bilateral relations between Singapore and the Philippines that are underpinned by political understanding, economic links and people-to-people ties.

Both leaders also underlined the importance of both sides continuing mutually beneficial cooperation.

“I came here to Singapore with a singular purpose — to renew and reaffirm our friendship and cooperation between our nations and our people. Tonight I said we are partners and friends,” said Mr Duterte in his toast at a state dinner hosted by Dr Tan.

“Tonight we can look forward to a future of greater mutually beneficial collaboration, this is a future we can chart and aim to achieve. This is how friends should be.”

Mr Duterte is in Singapore on a two-day state visit at the invitation of Dr Tan.

Thanking Singapore for the “warm welcome” and “exceptional hospitality”, Mr Duterte paid tribute to how both nations had strengthened ties over the last five decades in different areas.

This includes working closely on political issues to pursue principled positions based on the rule of law and peaceful settlement of disputes.

“We reaffirm respect and independence and the non-interference in the internal affairs of states. We are committed to make the Asean (Association of South-east Asian Nations) region safe and secure from traditional and emerging transnational threats,” he said.

Mr Duterte said both nations are intensifying trade and commerce links, as well as expanding opportunities for investments. People-to-people ties are robust, he added, in reference to the 180,000 Filipinos living in Singapore.

Before the state dinner, the Filipino leader met Dr Tan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last night said both Mr Duterte and Mr Lee had a fruitful exchange on bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international developments, with both leaders agreeing that Asean should work together to deal with transboundary challenges such as human and drug trafficking and terrorism.

The statement also said that during Mr Duterte’s meeting with Dr Tan, the leaders “agreed that there was room to further broaden and deepen bilateral relations, including strengthening security cooperation”.

In a post on his Facebook page,

Mr Lee said he and Mr Duterte had discussed terrorism, the South China Sea and the role of the United States in the region during their meeting.

“I first met Philippine President Rody Duterte at the Asean Summit in September. Happy that he accepted President Dr Tony Tan’s invitation to make an official visit to Singapore. He told me he was last here 30 years ago, for a court case!,” wrote Mr Lee.

“Singapore and the Philippines enjoy a long-standing friendship. We have strong economic ties and warm people-to-people links. There is a lively Filipino community in Singapore and many Filipino tourists come here to enjoy our food and attractions.”

The Prime Minister said he looked forward to the Philippines taking over chairmanship of Asean next year, which will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the group.

In his toast speech at the Istana, Dr Tan said on Thursday the two countries enjoy a “robust friendship” anchored in a shared vision of peace, harmony and prosperity for their nations and the region.

As founding members of Asean, the Philippines and Singapore share a vision and goal of maintaining peace and stability for our region.

Dr Tan said exchanges between the Philippines and Singapore have blossomed, especially after diplomatic relations were established in 1969.

Both countries believe in trade and development to improve the lives of its people, said Dr Tan. Additionally, Singapore companies are keen to invest in the Philippines — one of Asia’s fastest growing economies.

Singapore is the Philippines’ fourth largest trading partner and a top Asean investor. Dr Tan said both Singapore and the Philippines are doing more to enhance economic and business cooperation, noting that the Philippines-Singapore Business Council, comprising senior executives from both countries, is a key platform for business communities to forge stronger ties and explore commercial opportunities.

Dr Tan noted the strong economic ties between the two countries are buttressed by people-to-people relations.

Singapore receives about 700,000 visitors from the Philippines annually. Last year, more than 180,000 Singaporeans visited the Philippines.

He said bilateral ties go back to the late 19th century, when revered Philippine national hero Jose Rizal left his country and Singapore was one of his first ports of call.

Between 1882 and 1896, Dr Rizal visited Singapore four times, making detailed records of the sights and sounds of pre-independence Singapore. “His notes and insights provided a valuable account of 19th century Singapore. Today, a memorial of Dr Rizal stands on the grounds of the Asian Civilisations Museum,” said Dr Tan.

On Friday, Mr Lee will host Mr Duterte to lunch. Mr Duterte will also meet Singapore business leaders and visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens where an orchid will be named in his honour. He will also meet the Filipino community in Singapore before returning to the Philippines.