Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 16) – The Philippines and Canada are set to level up their security alliance with both sides hinting that a new deal could be signed “very soon.”
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro confirmed on Tuesday that Manila and Ottawa are working on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for what he described as an enhanced defense cooperation.
No specific details on the MOU have been made public so far but some reports indicate this could possibly include the crafting of a visiting forces agreement.
Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman said government representatives from Canada are set to fly in this week to iron out the MOU and “start building up important relationships.”
The defense ministries of both countries started discussions on upgrading their alliance as early as May last year to provide a framework on increased interoperability between their forces and further boosting joint capabilities to address regional security threats.
Teodoro said Canada is among the nations strongly supporting the Philippines’ stance on the West Philippine Sea and the 2016 arbitral award amid China’ s continued rejection of the ruling and its escalating aggression in Manila’ s exclusive economic zone.
Canada is hosting a two-day cybersecurity conference with Filipino security officials participating in Manila this week.
