Canadian Defence Minister David McGuinty and Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr shaking hands after signing an agreement in Manila on Nov 2, 2025. - AP
MANILA: The Philippines and Canada signed a visiting forces agreement on Sunday (Nov 2), the latest military pact struck by Manila as it builds a coalition of allies to deter what it sees as Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.
The Status of Visiting Forces Agreement is Canada’s first such military pact with an Indo-Pacific nation, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said in a joint briefing with his Canadian counterpart David McGuinty.
