Philippines Canada Sign Defense Pact Expanding Asia Pacific Military Cooperation

The Philippines and Canada have signed a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) aimed at deepening joint military operations and cooperation, including humanitarian and disaster response in the Asia-Pacific region. This pact is Canada's first in the Indo-Pacific and makes it the fifth country with such a defense deal with the Philippines, joining the US, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. emphasized the agreement's role in upholding a rules-based international order, criticizing China's territorial expansion in the South China Sea. China responded by cautioning that defense cooperation should not target any third party or provoke confrontation, warning such actions undermine regional peace and stability. The agreement reflects broader efforts by the Philippines to strengthen alliances amid increasing tensions with China over disputed maritime claims and regional security concerns.