Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong sent his condolences to Philippines President Benigno Aquino on Friday over the deadly earthquake in central Philippines, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. In a letter to Aquino, Lee noted the tragic loss of lives and destruction in the earthquake on Oct. 15. Lee said he is confident that under President Aquino\'s leadership, the Philippine people will overcome the tragedy with fortitude and rebuild the affected areas. The death toll following the 7.2-magnitude tremor rose to 171 on Friday, with most of the victims in the province of Bohol, the epicenter 640 kilometers south of Manila.