On 2 November 2025, the Philippines and Canada signed a landmark Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) — a pact that will allow the two countries’ armed forces to train, operate and collaborate more closely on each other’s soil.
The agreement was signed in Manila by Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Canadian Defence Minister David McGuinty. For Canada, this is its first such defence pact in the Indo-Pacific region.
Under the agreement, joint military drills, information sharing, disaster response coordination, and enhanced interoperability will be enabled. Both nations emphasised that the pact supports a rules-based international order and underpins regional stability amid growing geopolitical tensions.
The deal comes as the Philippines expands its defence partnerships beyond traditional alliances, seeking to bolster capabilities in response to evolving regional security dynamics. Canada has also backed the Philippines in maritime issues and contributed technology for tracking illegal shipping activities.
While the SOVFA has been signed, it still requires ratification by the Philippine President and approval by the Senate to come into full effect.