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Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News
January 16, 2024, 1:46 p.m. The Appointments Commission confirms the election of Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. as Secretary of the Department of Defense in Pasay City on September 13, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File.
MANILA – The Philippines and Canada are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation aimed at strengthening Manila's capabilities in tackling regional challenges.
This, according to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who expressed optimism that the MoU will be signed “very soon.”
“Enhanced defense cooperation between countries, like the memorandums of understanding we have with other countries… They support our stand with the award and they support our stand in the West Philippine Sea,” the defense chief told reporters in a chance interview at a cybersecurity event in Makati City on Tuesday .
“It will be [formal signings and agreements]. I hope soon, I can't give a timeline for it, but hopefully soon. Very soon,” he added.
Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman noted that cybersecurity would be “an area where there would be potential cooperation” between the two countries.
“That would be a facilitative form of a mechanism that allows us to take advantage of potential opportunities in cyber from a military perspective, but I think one of the points we really want to emphasize is to go much beyond that.” ” said Hartmann.
“Everyone is equally vulnerable. First and foremost, nations and states will defend their government networks, and that is something we continually do. But in fact, the area where many of our societies remain most vulnerable is on the civilian side. Again, disinformation and misinformation are areas that actually pose a real existential threat to our democracy from a broad nation-state perspective,” he added.
He continued: “The threat is omnipresent and global. “Canada is a loyal friend and partner of the Philippines, so we want to be able to work with our friends and partners to expand and improve the Philippines’ ability to protect its people, its citizens and itself.”
Teodoro said the defense pact was already “in the works with the DFA.” [Department of Foreign Affairs] and with us [Department of National Defense].”
The Philippines has also begun negotiations for a defense agreement with Japan – the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA). Teodoro hopes that Manila and Tokyo will sign the RAA this year.
“Also the RAA with Japan, hopefully soon. Within the first quarter sana,” he said.
The RAA is similar to the Philippines' Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States and the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) with Australia.
Currently, Japan has a RAA with Australia and the United Kingdom.
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