MANILA, Philippines – INANUNSYO ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) na kasalukuyang inaayos at pinag-uusapan ng Canada at Pilipinas ang kasunduan na makapagpapalakas sa ‘defense capability’ ng dalawang bansa.
Sa isang kalatas, sinabi ng DFA na ang Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) ang kumakatawan sa “an important development following the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation between the Philippines and Canada on January 19, 2024.”
“The SOVFA further deepens our bilateral defense relations with Canada and our long-standing friendship with this country,” ang sinabi ng departamento.
“The Philippines is committed to further strengthening our defense capabilities and our engagements with key defense partners support our national efforts,” ayon pa rin sa DFA.
Nabuo ito matapos na sabihin ni Canadian Ambassador David Hartman na ang Canada at Pilipinas ay nasa “final stages of negotiating the agreement” na magpapagana sa “deeper cooperation and substantive participation in training to build capacity.”
Nagpahayag naman ng kumpiyansa si Harman na ang kasunduan ay malalagdaan at mararatipikahan bago matapos ang taong 2025.
“The agreement would allow for future participation by Canadian troops in large-scale joint military exercises held yearly between the Philippines and the United States,” ayon kay Hartman.
Enero 19, kapuwa tinintahan ng Pilipinas at Canada ang Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation.
Matatandaang, noong nakaraang taon, ipinagdiwang ng Pilipinas at Canada ang 75 taon ng kanilang diplomatic relations sa gitna ng nagpapatuloy na harassment mula sa China Coast Guard sa iba’t ibang vessel ng Philippine Coast Guard at iba pang civilian ships na nago-operate sa loob ng exclusive economic zone (EEZ) ng Pilipinas sa West Philippine Sea.
Hayagang kinontra at binatikos ng Canada ang ginawang aksyon ng China Coast Guard, kabilang na ang pagbangga sa Philippine vessels.
“These actions are inconsistent with China’s obligations under international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” ayon sa Canada.
Samantala, mayroon namang kahalintulad ang Pilipinas na visiting forces agreements sa Estados Unidos at Japan. Nagsimula na rin ang negosasyon para sa SOVFA kasama ang New Zealand at France. RNT
