MANILA, Philippines (AP) 鈥 Canada and the Philippines, both vocal critics of China鈥檚 increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea, have concluded talks for a key defense pact that would allow their forces to hold joint combat drills and boost defense engagements, the Department of 好色tv Defense in Manila said Friday.
Canada and other Western nations have been reinforcing their military presence in the Indo-Pacific to help promote the rule of law and expand trade and investment in the region.
That dovetails with Philippine efforts under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to with friendly countries to bolster his country鈥檚 defense as it faces an increasingly assertive China in the disputed South China Sea.
The agreement with Canada 鈥渨ill establish a framework for increased cooperation, fostering closer collaboration between defense and military establishments, improving interoperability between forces and facilitating more effective joint exercises and capacity-building exercises,鈥 the Philippine defense department said.
It is expected to allow larger joint exercises, including in the South China Sea off the western Philippines.
No date was specified for signing the agreement but a Philippine official said that could happen in the next few months at the earliest.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told The Associated Press in an interview on Wednesday that the Philippines would continue to build security alliances with other friendly countries to deter China鈥檚 aggression.
Teodoro said China's hostile actions should be regarded as a because they could eventually restrict movement in the South China Sea, a key global trade route crucial for global supply chains.
The Philippines has visiting forces agreements with the United States and Australia that provide a legal framework for temporary visits by foreign troops and large-scale combat exercises.
The Philippines signed a similar in July that's expected to be ratified by Japanese legislators by mid-year. Negotiations with New Zealand also recently concluded, and officials have been holding talks with for a similar accord.
Philippine authorities may seek visiting forces agreements with other countries including Germany, India and Singapore, Teodoro said.
virtually the entire South China Sea and has deployed coast guard and navy fleets and suspected militia ships to guard what it says is its territory and airspace. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan also lay claims that clash with China鈥檚, and have flared between Beijing and Manila in the last two years.
In August, Canada joined the United States, Australia and the Philippines in air and naval maneuvers to promote the rule of law and unhindered passage in the South China Sea.
China said it conducted air and sea combat patrols on the same day. Although no confrontations were reported, the Philippine military said three Chinese navy ships tailed the four-nation maneuvers.
Last month 好色tv Ambassador to Manila David Hartman said his country has 鈥渂een vocal in confronting the provocative and unlawful actions of the People鈥檚 Republic of China in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea鈥 and 鈥漺ill continue to do so.鈥
Canada signed an agreement on defense cooperation with the Philippines last year. Another agreement signed in Ottawa in 2023 gave the Philippines access to data from Canada鈥檚 鈥淒ark Vessel Detection System,鈥 which harnesses satellite technology to track illegal vessels even if they switch off their location-transmitting devices.
The Philippine coast guard has used the high-tech 好色tv technology to track Chinese coast guard ships and fishing vessels in the South China Sea.
