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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH, Canada ink MOU on defense cooperation

PH, Canada ink MOU on defense cooperation

Published Jan 20, 2024 02:49 am
DND CANADA.jpg
(L-R) Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Bruce Hartman and Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (Photo by DND)

The Philippines and Canada further boosted their defense partnership following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that sought to establish a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the two countries.

Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Bruce Hartman signed the MOU at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday, Jan. 19.

"I'm glad to hear that there is a strong intention on both sides to deepen and strengthen the relationships by forging new milestones in our defense relations to culminate, perhaps, with the Visiting Forces Agreement," Teodoro said. 

The signing of the MOU coincided with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Canada this year.

The MOU covers an array of potential areas of collaboration between Manila and Ottawa including military education, training exchanges, information sharing, peacekeeping operations, and disaster response among others.

The DND has been elevating its partnership with "like-minded" countries as it deals with the escalating tension in the West Philippine Sea due to China's aggression.

Once the VFA is realized, Filipino and Canadian troops are seen to increase their engagements in the form of military exercises on either countries, as what has been observed with the Philippines' VFA with the United States.

Teodoro pledged the DND’s commitment to the full implementation of the MOU in line with its thrust to strengthen its defense partnerships with other nations given the evolving regional security landscape. 

“The strongest assets we have are the mutual trust and confidence that we have in one another on a people-to-people basis, and because we are dealing with each other in a straightforward, open, and on a rules-based manner, such trust is reinforced and will surpass political changes and the tests of time,” he added.

The MOU with Canada is the latest on the side of the Philippines, which is also looking forward to finalize the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan in the first quarter of this year. 

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VFA DND PH-Canada
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