The Philippines and Canada have signed a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) allowing troops from both countries to train and operate on each other’s soil.
Signed by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty, the pact is the third such agreement under the Marcos administration.
Canada becomes the fifth country to have a VFA with the Philippines, joining the US, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand, all of which counter China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea.
The agreement aims to boost joint military exercises, training, information sharing, and maritime cooperation, reinforcing the rules-based international order.
Before taking effect, the VFA must be ratified by President Marcos and approved by the Senate.
Source: PhilNews24 | November 3, 2025
