FILE PHOTO: Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. delivers his speech at the 22nd General Assembly of the Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries 2023 (VECONAC 2023) at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. INQUIRER.net/Ryan Leagogo
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Canada will sign a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) to bolster military ties, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Tuesday.
Teodoro confirmed this development that would allow closer collaboration like training and exercises between both countries’ militaries on the sidelines of a cybersecurity conference organized by Stratbase ADR and the Canadian Embassy held at the Manila Polo Club.
READ: PH seeks cooperation with Canada on cybersecurity
“[The MOU is for an] increased defense cooperation between countries like the MOUs we have with other countries,” Teodoro said in an ambush interview.
“Hopefully soon. Very soon,” he replied on the question of when the pact would be signed.
Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman also confirmed the looming signing of the MOU.
“We are waiting, we have colleagues coming from Canada this week, and we are waiting to receive a little bit of a final direction from our Ministry of National Defense but we hope to have the news to update you very soon,” Hartman said in a separate ambush interview.
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Teodoro explained that strengthening Philippines-Canada military relations has nothing to do with the tensions in the West Philippine Sea, noting that Canada’s stand on the matter is already clear.
“No, and they have already been straightforward about that anyway, they support our stand with the arbitral award and in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.
READ: Duterte orders AFP to cancel helicopter deal with Canada
Defense relationship between the Philippines and Canada suffered cracks during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
In 2018, Duterte canceled a P12-billion contract on the purchase of 16 helicopters from Canada as the ex-president blasted the country’s supposed interference as its government raised concerns that the aircraft might be used in the Duterte administration’s counterinsurgency campaign.