(MENAFN) On Sunday, Canada became the fifth nation to formalize a visiting forces defense agreement with the Philippines, enabling both countries to station military personnel within each other’s territories and enhance their defense cooperation.

The Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) was signed in Makati by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Canadian Minister of National Defense David McGuinty following a bilateral meeting.

Teodoro emphasized that, although information exchange and people-to-people connections between the two nations are already “robust,” the new accord “would make that robustness enduring,” according to a local news outlet.

He highlighted the strategic significance of the agreement, noting that it promotes cooperation in vital areas including maritime security, humanitarian aid, disaster response, and cyber defense capabilities.

Teodoro also remarked that the partnership allows both countries to contribute “not only for individual security but also for collective peace and stability in the region.”

He added that the pact would “resist attempts to redefine the norms for the selfish advantage of powerful countries.”

McGuinty described the deal as one that “will bring our countries closer together at a time” and noted that it represents Canada’s first defense agreement with an Asian nation.

The signing followed the recent Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea, which involved the Philippines, the US, Australia, and, for the first time, New Zealand.

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