Canada and the Philippines are close to sealing a deal that will allow their troops to operate on each other’s soil, Canada’s ambassador to Philippines, David Hartman, confirmed on February 9.

“We are in the final stages of negotiating the agreement, which will enable us to have deeper cooperation and more substantive participation in training to build capacity,” Hartman told Agence France-Presse.

He said both governments expect to sign and ratify the agreement by the end of the year, allowing Canadian troops to join the annual joint military exercises between the Philippines and the U.S. 

Canadian officials met with Philippine defense and foreign affairs counterparts last month to iron out the details. Once finalized, the deal will allow Canadian troops to join large-scale military exercises that the Philippines and the U.S. conduct annually.

The Philippines, already holding Visiting Forces Agreements (VFA) with the U.S. and Japan, is in parallel negotiations with France and New Zealand, strengthening its defense partnerships amid China’s increasing aggressiveness in the South China Sea.

Earlier, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro stressed that these military pacts would enhance training and interoperability, emphasizing the need for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to train with other forces as conflicts evolve.

Recently, the Canadian navy joined patrols in the South China Sea alongside the U.S., Australia, the Philippines, and Japan, asserting freedom of navigation in contested waters.

Philippines, UK strengthen trade and defense ties

Meanwhile, the Philippines and the UK are set to expand their partnership with new trade, defense, and maritime agreements expected to be finalized this year.

During the second Philippines-UK Strategic Dialogue on February 3, officials explored enhanced cooperation in information and communications technology and the health sector.

Philippine Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations Maria Theresa Lazaro and UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary Catherine West led the discussions, which are part of the “enhanced partnership” launched between the two nations in November 2021.

Lazaro and West “identified the next milestones of PH-UK bilateral relations” and focused on agreements that “are expected to be concluded this year, leading towards the commemorative celebration of the 80th anniversary of PH-UK bilateral relations in 2026,” the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on February 5.

A Joint Framework Agreement, set for signing in March, will serve as a key step in strengthening bilateral cooperation ahead of the 80th anniversary next year.

Philippine Ambassador to the UK Teodoro Locsin Jr. and UK Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beafils joined the discussions, exchanging views on regional and international matters.

Lazaro also met with Owen Jenkins, the UK’s director general for Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and North Africa, to discuss ASEAN-UK cooperation, particularly as the Philippines prepares to chair ASEAN in 2026.

She also met with George Freeman, the UK’s new trade envoy to the Philippines, to explore trade and investment opportunities, and Nick Catsaras, UK Deputy National Security Adviser for International Affairs, to discuss regional security matters.

The Philippines welcomed the UK’s continued support for upholding the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific, particularly amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.

Philippines to resist foreign sea intrusions

The National Maritime Council has reaffirmed its full support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s strong stance in defending the Philippines’ sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

West Philippine Sea refers only to waters in the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, not the whole of the South China Sea.

On February 8, the NMC emphasized the country’s unwavering commitment to protecting its territory in accordance with international law.

“We stand resolute against any foreign intrusion into our maritime zones and will never cease upholding our rights and honoring our duties under international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” the council said.

“The Philippines, while committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes and proper diplomatic approaches, will never waver in protecting its national territory and maritime domain,” it added.

The declaration follows concerns over China’s “monster ship”, which has been stationed off Zambales for over a month.

Last week, Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ presence in the West Philippine Sea despite China’s aggressive tactics, including ramming Philippine vessels, deploying water cannons and lasers, and blocking ships.

“We will always be there protecting our territory. We will always be there making sure our fishermen are able to exercise their sovereign rights,” he said in a Malacañang press briefing last Thursday.

Beijing claims nearly the entire strategic waterway and has deployed coast guard, naval, and other vessels to enforce its territorial claims. However, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also assert their own claims, fueling tensions, particularly between Beijing and Manila in recent years.

Photo credit: Philippines’ Department of National Defense. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.