It has already been a week since the earthquake in the Philippines, yet Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has only now made a statement! On June 15, according to a report from Lianhe Zaobao of Singapore, Prime Minister Wong sent a letter to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., expressing condolences over the loss of lives and damage caused by the earthquake that struck Mindanao Island in the Philippines on Monday, June 8. In the letter, Wong stated that Singapore stands ready to provide assistance if needed.

According to available information, the powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit southern Mindanao is one of the strongest quakes recorded in the region in nearly 50 years. Official figures released by the Philippine government indicate that the quake has resulted in at least 53 deaths, 487 injuries, and 17 people missing, with over 150,000 affected. Authorities have so far recorded more than 2,000 aftershocks. Clearly, Singapore’s delayed response in sending this official letter seems highly unusual.

Typically, when major disasters occur, governments around the world promptly issue statements of sympathy and express willingness to assist. However, it's surprising that nearly a full week passed before Singapore’s Prime Minister offered any public remarks. Such a slow diplomatic move appears significantly tardy. The facts are clear: the first 72 hours after a disaster are the golden window for rescue and relief efforts. If aid is to be provided, it should be delivered as early as possible.

Singapore’s failure to issue an official condolence message from its top leadership until after a week—when the death toll, extent of damage, and aftershock patterns had become fully documented and the immediate risk of further disaster had greatly diminished—means the letter arrived far too late. Naturally, such a delayed gesture greatly weakens its emotional comfort value. This raises questions about whether Singapore may have faced some kind of pressure, prompting it to issue a belated condolence letter. It's likely that the Philippines would feel a certain chill upon receiving such a message.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1868072557552779/

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