CaliToday (03/11/2025): Following a closed-door meeting, the new Visiting Forces Agreement allows for larger joint military exercises, marking a significant expansion of Manila's security coalition against Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.
The Philippines and Canada signed a landmark defense agreement on Sunday, formalizing a new Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) designed to significantly boost joint combat exercises and expand their security alliance in a direct effort to deter Chinese aggression.
The pact was signed by Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his Canadian counterpart, David McGuinty, following a high-stakes, closed-door meeting on Asia-Pacific security in Manila.
Both nations, which have been increasingly critical of China's "lawless" actions in the South China Sea, framed the agreement as a crucial step toward upholding international order.
In a sharp and unambiguous rebuke of Beijing, Secretary Teodoro told reporters the pact was key to promoting a rules-based order in a region threatened by Chinese expansionism.
"Who is the hegemon? Who wants to expand territory on the world? China," Teodoro said following the signing.
The agreement provides a new legal framework for Canadian forces to conduct larger-scale, more frequent, and complex joint military training exercises in the Philippines. Canadian Defence Minister McGuinty stated the VFA would enhance joint military training, information sharing, and cooperation on emergencies, including disaster response.
A "Coalition of the Willing"
The deal is a major victory for Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has embarked on an ambitious strategy to build a "coalition of the willing" to counter China. This strategy aims to build defense relationships with numerous countries, helping the Philippines' budget-limited military stand up to its far larger and more powerful neighbor.
This VFA with Canada is the third such agreement signed under the Marcos administration, following similar pacts with Japan and New Zealand. It builds on the Philippines' foundational VFA with the United States (signed in 1998) and another with Australia.
According to officials, this diplomatic push is accelerating. Talks for similar agreements are already underway with France and Singapore, with efforts to launch negotiations with the United Kingdom, and possibly Germany and India, in the near future.
The strategy stands in contrast to some regional neighbors. The report noted that Vietnam, for instance, has maintained its non-confrontational stance toward China and is not cooperating with the new Canada-Philippines security axis.
Canada's Growing Indo-Pacific Role
For Canada, the pact represents a significant deepening of its Indo-Pacific strategy. Canada and other Western nations have steadily increased their military presence in the region to promote the rule of law and secure trade routes.
This VFA is the latest in a series of deepening ties:
Targeting Chinese Ships: In 2023, Canada gave the Philippines access to its "Dark Vessel Detection System." The Philippine Coast Guard has actively used this satellite technology to track illegal Chinese maritime militia and coast guard vessels that have turned off their public location transponders.
Condemning Aggression: Canada has been a vocal critic of China's actions. In September, it condemned Beijing's plan to establish a so-called "nature reserve" at Scarborough Shoal—a resource-rich fishing ground claimed by Manila calling it an attempt to "control" the shoal.
Supporting Philippine Sailors: Ottawa has also repeatedly criticized China's "dangerous" use of powerful water cannons, which have resulted in injuries to Filipino sailors and damage to their vessels.
China, which claims nearly the entirety of the South China Sea, has not yet commented on the new VFA. It has previously labeled the Philippines a "troublemaker" for conducting joint patrols with the U.S. and other allies.
Beijing continues to ignore a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated its sweeping territorial claims, instead escalating its use of grey-zone tactics, such as water cannons and dangerous blocking maneuvers, against Philippine vessels.