Canadian general visits Philippines, discusses SOVFA with AFP chief

Canadian Armed Forces chief of defense staff General Marie Annabelle Jennie Carignan visited the Philippines on Wednesday for a courtesy call with her counterpart, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr.

During their meeting at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional peace and security and emphasized the importance of mutual support in joint operations and training programs.

General Brawner also expressed his appreciation for Canada's ongoing assistance in strengthening the AFP’s capabilities through capacity-building initiatives.

The visit marks progress in negotiations for a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) between the Philippines and Canada, which concluded on March 7.

This agreement aims to foster closer collaboration, improve interoperability, and facilitate joint exercises and capacity-building activities between the two nations' defense establishments.

Canada has previously participated in multi-country naval patrols in the West Philippine Sea as part of efforts to assert freedom of navigation and overflight rights in the broader South China Sea.