August 4, 2023 (Quezon City) — Secretary of National Defense (SND) Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. received Canada’s Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. David Bruce Hartman to the Department of National Defense (DND) during the Ambassador’s courtesy call.

Acknowledging the importance of the Indo-Pacific, Ambassador Hartman conveyed Canada’s intent to increase its presence in the region. 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.

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.

To further commemorate the bilateral milestone of the two countries, both sides expressed their readiness to conclude the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defense Cooperation.
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.