MANILA
The Philippines and Canada on Sunday signed a landmark agreement allowing their armed forces to train and operate on each other’s soil, marking a major step in strengthening defence ties amid growing regional tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
The pact, known as the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), is Canada’s first such deal in the region and the fifth for the Philippines. It expands Manila’s network of military partnerships, complementing its long-standing alliance with the United States.
Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the agreement reinforces a commitment to maintaining a “rules-based international order.” The SOVFA establishes a framework for deeper cooperation and smoother coordination between both nations’ armed forces during joint exercises and operations.
Canada has consistently backed the Philippines’ position in the South China Sea, supporting the 2016 international tribunal ruling that dismissed Beijing’s expansive maritime claims—an outcome China continues to reject.
The two countries have also collaborated on maritime security, with the Philippines using Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection System to track illegal fishing activities.
Manila is pursuing similar troop agreements with Britain and France, having already ratified a reciprocal access deal with Japan last year and holding one with Australia.
The signing follows recent U.S.-Philippine military exercises in the South China Sea, which drew sharp criticism from China for allegedly undermining regional stability. The new Canada-Philippines pact underscores Manila’s growing network of defence allies in response to China’s assertive behavior.
