19-1-2024 (MANILA) The Philippines and Canada inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defence cooperation, raising the prospect of a future troop pact between the two nations. The signing ceremony took place on Friday, and Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro expressed optimism about deepening bilateral relations through this collaboration.
Teodoro highlighted the potential culmination of this partnership with the establishment of a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Although the nature of this prospective VFA remains unspecified, Teodoro emphasized the intention to strengthen defence ties through milestones like the VFA.
The existing VFA between the Philippines and the United States enables the rotational deployment of American troops for military drills and exercises in the Philippines. Teodoro’s statement suggests that a similar arrangement could be envisioned with Canada.
The MOU is expected to initiate cooperation between the defence and military establishments of both nations, covering areas such as military education, training exchanges, information sharing, peacekeeping operations, and disaster response.
Teodoro underscored the significance of mutual trust and confidence between the two countries, emphasizing the straightforward, open, and rules-based approach in their dealings. He expressed confidence that such trust would endure political changes and withstand the tests of time.
Canada’s support for the Philippines, particularly in response to China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea, has been noteworthy. Canada endorsed the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which invalidated China’s legal basis for its South China Sea claims. This move by Canada aligned with the Philippines’ stance and drew a contrast to China’s rejection of the court’s findings.
The recent MOU follows the October signing of an arrangement between the two nations, enabling the Philippines to use Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection (DVD) system. The system is aimed at combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing by vessels that disable their location transmitters. In addition to addressing maritime challenges, the DVD system is expected to enhance the Philippines’ maritime domain awareness in its territorial waters and exclusive economic zones, areas where it has encountered maritime tensions with China.
