PHL, Canada eyes completion of VFA in 'coming months' —envoy

The Philippines and Canada are targeting to finish negotiations for a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) in “the coming months,” Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman said Friday. 

Speaking to reporters aboard HMCS Montreal, Hartman said the countries have exchanged texts and drafts of the agreement. 

“Currently, we've exchanged draft texts of a draft agreement. We hope to be able to conclude relatively quickly,” the envoy said. 

“We're much more optimistic that we will be able to conclude far more quickly, and we really are hoping to advance, you know, in the coming months. Like I said, the reality is we've already exchanged texts, drafts,” he added. 

In January, the two countries inked a defense cooperation memorandum of understanding (MOU), which started the Philippine and Canadian cooperation on military education, training exchanges, information sharing, peacekeeping operations, and disaster response. 

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said then that the signing of the MOU expressed a strong intention by both sides to deepen and strengthen their relationship by forging new milestones in defense relations that could culminate in a VFA.

“The strongest assets we have are the mutual trust and confidence that we have in one another on a people-to-people basis, and because we are dealing with each other in a straightforward, open, and on a rules-based manner, such trust is reinforced and will surpass political changes and the tests of time,” said Teodoro.

HMCS Montreal

HMCS Montreal, one of the 12 Halifax-class frigates of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), arrived in Manila on Friday for a goodwill visit. It will be docked at the Manila South Harbor until Tuesday, August 6. 

"The arrival of HMCS Montreal, is another demonstration of the exceptionally close relationship between Canada and the Philippines, especially as this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries," said Hartman.

"The visit is also a clear demonstration of Canada's dedication to regional security and stability. As maritime nations, Canada and the Philippines share a common interest in upholding a rules-based international order and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific," he added.

During its visit, the HMCS Montreal will conduct several activities including professional development and training opportunities with the Philippine Navy, community outreach, and local engagements. 

HMCS Montreal, together with an embarked air detachment operating a CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter, has approximately 250 highly trained personnel. It is equipped with extensive anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare weapons, sensor systems, as well as a damage control and machinery control system. 

The ship was deployed as part of Operation HORIZON, which seeks to reinforce Canada’s ties with its international allies and strengthen relationships with like-minded nations. 

Apart from HMCS Montreal, other Canadian ships that are expected to visit the Philippines this year are HMCS Vancouver and HMCS Ottawa.—AOL, GMA Integrated News