Top military officials from the Philippines and Canada reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defense cooperation during a high-level meeting at Philippine Army headquarters.
Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete welcomed Canadian Army commander Lt. Gen. Michael Wright during a courtesy call at Fort Bonifacio, where both leaders underscored the enduring partnership between their ground forces.
Wright’s visit coincides with Canada’s participation in Exercise Balikatan, now in its 41st iteration, reflecting Ottawa’s continued support for regional security initiatives alongside allied nations.
Prior to the meeting, Wright paid tribute to fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Military officials said cooperation between the Canadian Armed Forces and the Philippine Army has expanded beyond traditional training to include specialized programs such as the Military Cyber Security Operations Course (MCSOC), aimed at enhancing capabilities in digital defense and cyber operations.
Philippine Army officials emphasized plans to further strengthen ties with partner nations, noting that such cooperation is key to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The meeting reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to advancing military cooperation through joint training, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building initiatives.