Philippines and Canada Seal Troop Pact, Expanding Manila’s Web of Defense Ties Amid China Tensions

Philippines' Secretary of National Defence Gilberto Teodoro (R)with Canadian Minister of Defence David McGuinty hold their signed documents of the visiting forces agreement after their bilateral meeting in Manila on November 2, 2025. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)

The Philippines and Canada signed a visiting forces agreement on Sunday, allowing Canadian troops to conduct joint exercises, deepening defense ties amid rising tensions with China in the South China Sea.

The pact follows similar deals Manila signed with New Zealand, the U.S., Australia, and Japan. Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty said the accord advances Ottawa’s Indo-Pacific strategy and expands cooperation on training, cybersecurity, and information sharing.

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by Eric Olander

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