VFA between PH and Canada to be signed `soon’ – Teodoro

The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and Canada will be signed “soon,” Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., said on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

MANILA, Philippines — The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and Canada will be signed “soon,” according to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Teodoro made the announcement during a joint press conference with his New Zealand counterpart, Judith Collins when asked about the planned VFA with Canada and France.

READ: DND chief eyes VFA with Canada

“The signing of the VFA with Canada is tentatively scheduled soon, very soon,” the Department of Defense (DND) chief said on Wednesday.

“I think there is a notional date and I’ll wait for the proper announcements to be made officially,” Teodoro added.

In January last year, Teodoro and Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation, which includes military education, training exchanges, information sharing, peacekeeping operations, and disaster response, among others.

“I am glad to hear that there is a strong intention on both sides to deepen and strengthen the relationships by forging new milestones in our defense relations to culminate, perhaps, with the Visiting Forces Agreement,” the DND chief said.

On the other hand, Teodoro said they already received “authority to negotiate a VFA with France.

READ: France awaits PH response on submitted first draft of VFA

In February this year, French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel disclosed that the French government already submitted the first draft of its VFA to the Philippines in October 2024 and is waiting for the latter’s response.

Fontanel said the “intent to negotiate” a VFA between the two countries is part of the letter signed by  Teodoro and his counterpart, French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, in December 2023.