Canada and the Philippines Sign Defense Pact to Deter China’s Aggression

Canada and the Philippines have signed a defense agreement aimed at deterring China’s aggression. The two countries will expand joint military exercises and strengthen their security partnership under the new pact.

Nikkei Asia reported on this.

Canada and the Philippines, which have consistently criticized China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea, signed a defense agreement intended to enhance military training and reinforce security cooperation to prevent aggression.

Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. signed the document during a meeting in Manila.

The Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), signed by Teodoro and McGuinty, defines the legal framework for the presence of military personnel from both countries during joint exercises and operations.

According to Minister McGuinty, the document provides for enhanced joint combat training, information sharing, and coordination in emergency situations, including natural disasters.

Canada, which has long maintained a presence in the region alongside other Western nations, has recently been strengthening its military presence in the Indo-Pacific to support compliance with international law and promote trade and investment.

This strategy aligns with the policy of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who seeks to expand defense ties with partners to strengthen the country’s underfunded armed forces in confronting China.

Beijing has not yet commented on the signing of the agreement. Earlier, China accused the Philippines of “provoking conflicts” and “undermining regional stability” following joint exercises with the United States and its allies. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, despite a 2016 Hague arbitration ruling that declared such claims illegal under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

China refuses to recognize this ruling and continues to use forceful methods to intercept Philippine vessels. This has already led to multiple collisions and crew injuries.

The Philippines has long had similar agreements with the United States (since 1998) and Australia (since 2007). However, under President Marcos, the country has become much more active in expanding its defense partnerships. This is already the fourth such agreement – following those with Japan, Lithuania, and New Zealand.

Negotiations are ongoing for similar agreements with France and Singapore, and consultations are also planned with the United Kingdom, Germany, and India.