An agreement to provide the Philippines access to Canada’s satellite-based sea monitoring may come up anytime soon as Ottawa is boosting Manila's maritime domain awareness amid its sea row with Beijing.
Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman on Saturday said Ottawa is "looking forward to imminently concluding" talks on the deal that will provide Manila access to its Dark Vessel Detection program
The program provides a satellite-based near-real time monitoring capability that will dramatically enhance Philippine maritime domain awareness, according to Hartman.
It will also facilitate the Philippines' ability to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, as well as protect its marine environments, the envoy added.
"We are prepared, pending conclusion of the implementing agreement, to deploy the system in the coming weeks," Hartman said.
Canada's assistance will come as China continues its aggression in the South China Sea, including in the West Philippine Sea, as well as provocation and harassment of Philippine personnel in the waters through laser pointing, water cannon attack and installation of floating barriers that blocked Filipino fishers from their fishing grounds.
The Canadian government has bolstered its military partnership with countries in the region, including the Philippines, as it aims to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific.
In September alone, Ottawa deployed three of its navy ships to the Philippines for goodwill visits and to participate in maritime exercises.