The Philippines and Canada on Sunday signed a military pact that will allow their troops to set foot in each other’s territories, deepening Manila’s defense ties with Ottawa amid lingering South China Sea tensions and just days after the US pledged support to boost the Southeast Asian nation’s deterrence in the waterway. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. and Canadian Defense Minister David Joseph McGuinty signed the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) in Manila, making Canada the fifth country to enter into a troop access pact with the Philippines. Both sides agreed on the legal provisions allowing Filipino and Canadian troops to enter each other’s territories in March this year, with the Canadian government describing the deal as a reinforcement to their 2024 defense cooperation pact.

Basilio, K. C. L. (2025, November 3). PHL, Canada seal visiting forces agreement amid sea tensions. BusinessWorld, p. S1/10.