MANILA, Philippines – Tinitingnan na ng Pilipinas at Canada ang mas maigting pang practical partnerships sa disaster resilience bilang bahagi ng hakbang nito na palakasin ang defense cooperation ng dalawang bansa.
Ito ay kasunod ng Aug. 4 meeting sa pagitan nina Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. at Canada Ambassador to the Philippines David Bruce Hartman sa DND headquarters sa Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
“The two officials committed to pursue practical cooperation on disaster resilience as well as education and training, among other initiatives between the Philippine and Canadian defense establishments, through capacity-building projects,” pahayag ni DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong.
Sa kaparehong pagpupulong, kinilala ni Hartman ang kahalagahan ng Indo-Pacific at ipinahayag ang intensyon nitong pataasin pa ang presensya ng Canada sa rehiyon.
“With the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Canada in 2024, Secretary Teodoro remarked how timely Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy is as it aligns with the DND’s thrust to strengthen its defense partnerships with like-minded states in addressing pressing and emerging security concerns in the region,” ani Andolong.
Kapwa nagpahayag naman ng kahandaan ang dalawang bansa sa pagsasapinal ng Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation bilang paraan na mas alalahanin pa ang bilateral milestone na ito.
“In addition, Secretary Teodoro took the opportunity to reiterate the DND’s invitation to Canada’s Minister of National Defense for an official visit to the Philippines to discuss areas of mutual concern, and ways to advance bilateral defense relations,” ani Andolong. RNT/JGC
