The Philippines and Canada have signed a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), marking another step in Manila’s expanding network of defense partnerships aimed at deterring Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. The agreement was formalized on Sunday and represents a key development in strengthening bilateral defense and security cooperation.
The deal allows Canadian troops to train and take part in joint military exercises on Philippine soil, further enhancing interoperability between the two nations’ armed forces. Canadian Defence Minister David McGuinty stated that the pact would deepen ties with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and advance Ottawa’s Indo-Pacific strategy, which emphasizes maintaining a forward military presence in Asia.
The Royal Canadian Navy had already been participating in joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea alongside the U.S., Australia, Japan, and the Philippines. With this new agreement, cooperation will extend beyond naval operations to include land-based training and humanitarian missions. McGuinty also revealed Canada’s intention to join the Philippines’ annual Balikatan military exercises next spring.
The Philippines, a U.S. treaty ally, has been actively expanding its defense pacts amid rising maritime tensions with China. Earlier this year, Manila signed a similar agreement with New Zealand and already maintains VFAs with the United States, Australia, and Japan. A comparable defense deal is currently being negotiated with France, underscoring Manila’s strategic efforts to strengthen multilateral security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
