Philippines, Canada sign pact on troops to deepen defence ties

On November 2nd, the Philippines and Canada signed a historic Status of Visiting Forces Agreement, marking Canada's first military training deal in the Indo-Pacific and the Philippines' fifth such arrangement. This pact aims to strengthen cooperation and address shared security concerns, particularly in the face of growing tensions in the region, including China's expanding influence and territorial claims. The agreement also supports the Philippines in pushing back against pressure in the South China Sea and bolsters its network beyond its long-standing treaty with the United States. Beyond military exercises, cooperation extends to illegal fishing prevention, with Canada's tracking technology now in use in Philippine waters. The Philippines is also exploring similar troop agreements with Britain and France, further expanding its defense connections. These new partnerships, however, have drawn criticism from Beijing, highlighting the shifting alliances and rapidly changing security landscape in the Indo-Pacific. The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.