The Philippines and Canada reaffirmed their commitment to advancing defense cooperation with the signing of the Philippines-Canada Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) between Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. and Canadian Minister of National Defence Hon. David McGuinty on Sunday in Makati City.
The Philippines is Canada’s first SOVFA partner in the Indo-Pacific region, a news release from the Department of National Defense said. It marks a significant milestone in the two nations’ growing defense partnership and shared commitment to promoting regional peace and stability.
The SOVFA establishes the legal framework for visiting forces from both countries during joint defense activities, training, and exercises. It strengthens interoperability and logistics cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), paving the way for deeper defense engagement and capacity-building efforts.
During the bilateral meeting, both defense officials underscored their shared commitment to strengthening defense cooperation anchored on mutual respect, strategic trust, and support for a rules-based international order.
Minister McGuinty’s visit to Manila, the first ever by a Canadian defense minister, marks a significant milestone in the heightened defense partnership between the Philippines and Canada. His visit reflects both countries’ shared resolve to enhance defense collaboration and contribute to a more secure, stable, and resilient Indo-Pacific region.
Secretary Teodoro emphasized that the Philippines’ deepening defense ties with Canada reflect the country’s strategic approach to strengthening cooperation with like-minded nations in pursuit of peace, stability, and national resilience.
Minister McGuinty, for his part, expressed Canada’s readiness to work closely with the Philippines through sustained defense dialogue, joint activities, and multilateral cooperation in support of shared goals for a secure and stable Indo-Pacific region.
This milestone builds on the two nations’ ongoing defense dialogue, including Secretary Teodoro’s meeting with Deputy Minister of National Defense of Canada, Stefanie Beck on the sidelines of the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) in September 2025.