Canada and Philippines to Sign Key Defence Agreement

MANILA - Canada and the Philippines, both staunch critics of China's increasingly coercive actions in the disputed South China Sea, will sign a key defence agreement on Sunday.

Philippine officials say the pact will allow their forces to hold joint battle-readiness drills and expand a web of security alliances to deter aggression.

Canada and other Western nations have been bolstering their military presence in the Indo-Pacific to help promote the rule of law and expand trade and investment in the region. The moves dovetail with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s efforts to build defence ties with other countries to help his country's underfunded military face a militarily superior China in the disputed waters.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (see the photo) will sign the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with his Canadian counterpart, David McGuinty, after a meeting in Manila on Sunday. The agreement takes effect after ratification.
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