MANILA, Feb. 16 -- Singapore vowed to uphold the principles of freedom of navigation and overflight in the region as it steps up its military engagements with the Philippines.

At a reception for the goodwill visit of Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) landing ship tank RSS Endeavor to Manila on Friday, Singaporean Ambassador Constance See said the city state will continue working with the Philippines and other Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states to promote international law.

As a country whose trade is threefold greater than its gross domestic product, Singapore places "extreme importance" on freedom of navigation and overflight as principles of international law, according to See.

In a statement Sunday, See underscored ...