The Philippines and Canada have finalized negotiations for a proposed Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), aiming to bolster defense cooperation and joint military exercises in the Indo-Pacific region.
The government, through the Department of Defense led by Undersecretary Angelito M. De Leon, together with its Canadian counterpart headed by Assistant Deputy Minister Scott Millar, concluded their negotiations on March 7 for a proposed SOVFA through a series of virtual meetings and inter-agency consultations to ensure that the pact aligns with the two nations’ mutual interests and priorities.
During the negotiations, De Leon was joined by Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces Undersecretary Antonio Habulan Jr.; DND Assistant Secretaries Marita I. Yoro and Erik Lawrence Dy; Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretaries Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga and Patrick Chuasoto, and Officer-in-Charge Paulo Saret; and Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Raul Vasquez and Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin Chan, while the Canadian delegation was composed of representatives from the Department of National Defence and Global Affairs Canada.
The SOVFA negotiation was a product of a commitment to strengthen bilateral ties that the two nations reaffirmed during the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024.
The Philippine defense department said the agreement will establish a framework for increased cooperation, fostering closer collaboration between defense and military establishments, improving interoperability between forces, and facilitating more effective joint exercises and capacity-building activities.
This development is also seen to boost the Philippines’ aim to increase partnerships with allied countries and promote regional security and ensure economic prosperity.
“The Philippines looks forward to the positive impact of the SOVFA, which is expected to contribute to peace, stability, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region,” the DND said.
Meanwhile, as the negotiations for the SOVFA concluded, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and other officials of the DND also met with Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman and Canadian Defense Attaché Lt. Col. Jason King to further discuss the security partnership between the two nations.
