Philippines, Canada Finalize Military Agreement Amid South China Sea Tensions

The Philippines and Canada have concluded negotiations for a pivotal military agreement, a move seen as Manila’s latest effort to strengthen its defense partnerships amidst ongoing tensions with Beijing over the disputed South China Sea, Bloomberg reports.

The agreement aims to enhance “interoperability between forces and facilitating more effective joint exercises and capacity-building activities,” according to a statement released Friday by the Philippines’ defense department.

The deal, officially known as the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), is anticipated to contribute to regional peace, stability, and cooperation within the Indo-Pacific. The Philippines has indicated that the pact is now ready for signing, paving the way for its implementation.

This agreement marks another step in the Southeast Asian nation’s strategy of bolstering defense ties with other countries. Just last month, the Philippines successfully concluded similar negotiations with New Zealand.