Canada and the Philippines are in the final stages of negotiating a significant defence agreement that would facilitate expanded joint military exercises, according to the Canadian ambassador to Manila, reports AP.
He also expressed concerns over China’s “provocative and unlawful actions” in the region.
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Canada has been increasing its military presence in the Indo-Pacific and is committed to upholding the rule of law while expanding trade and investment. This aligns with the Philippine government’s efforts under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to strengthen defence partnerships with allied nations, enhancing its external defence amid growing tensions with China over disputed waters.
Canadian Ambassador David Hartman stated on Friday night that Canada and the Philippines were “in the final stages of negotiations” for a status of forces visiting agreement. This pact would enable deeper participation in joint and multilateral training exercises and operations with the Philippines and its regional allies.
Hartman made these remarks aboard the HMCS Ottawa, a Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate docked in Manila, in the presence of Philippine national security officials, foreign ambassadors, and defence attachés. He added that the vessel would be participating in joint exercises off the Philippines next week.
Since last year, the Philippine military has conducted multinational patrols and drills alongside forces from the U.S., Japan, France, Australia, and Canada, including operations in the South China Sea. These actions have drawn strong reactions from China.
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, a vital global trade route, and has deployed coast guard and naval forces to assert control over what it considers its territory. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also maintain competing claims, leading to escalating territorial confrontations, particularly between Beijing and Manila over the past two years.
In August last year, Canada joined the U.S., Australia, and the Philippines in air and naval manoeuvres to uphold the rule of law and ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
In what appeared to be a response, China launched air and sea combat patrols on the same day. While no direct clashes were reported, the Philippine military noted that three Chinese navy ships trailed the four-nation exercises off the western Philippine coast.
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“We have been vocal in confronting the provocative and unlawful actions of the People’s Republic of China in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea,” Hartman said. “We will continue to do so.”
Canada signed a defence cooperation agreement with the Philippines last year. Additionally, an accord signed in Ottawa in 2023 granted the Philippines access to Canada’s “Dark Vessel Detection System,” which uses satellite technology to track illegal vessels, even when they deactivate their location-transmitting devices.
The Philippine coast guard has accused Chinese coast guard and fishing vessels of disabling their location transmitters to evade surveillance in the South China Sea.
Currently, the Philippines has visiting forces agreements—providing a legal framework for the temporary stationing of foreign troops and large-scale military exercises—only with the U.S. and Australia. In July last year, the Philippines signed a similar agreement with Japan, which is pending ratification by Japanese lawmakers.
Additionally, the Philippines is holding separate defence negotiations with France and New Zealand.