The Philippines and Canada have committed to helping one another beef up their communications and cyber defense capabilities, the Department of National Defense (DND) said on Wednesday.
This came as DND Undersecretary for Information Systems and Cybersecurity Fabian Pedregosa received Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) Commander, Lt. Gen. Steven J.M.S. Boivin in a courtesy call at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday.
“The two officials discussed the growing Philippines-Canada security cooperation, particularly on C4ISR (command, control, communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and cyber defense, anchored on key bilateral frameworks, including the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation and the recently signed Philippines-Canada Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), ratified by the President on March 26, 2026,” the DND said in a statement.
The Canadian side provided an overview of the CJOC, while Pedregosa shared key focus areas of the DND’s cybersecurity framework.
Cyber defense and cybersecurity cooperation emerged as a priority area, with both countries recognizing the importance of enhancing information sharing, training, and coordination to address evolving cyber threats.
Both nations noted progress under the Philippines-Canada SOVFA and explored opportunities for deeper collaboration in cyber governance, capacity building, and the development of resilient and secure digital infrastructure.
The two countries also discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation in emerging technologies and defense capabilities, including satellite communications, electronic warfare, and command and control systems, as well as subject matter expert exchanges, training, and education programs to enhance interoperability and institutional linkages between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Canadian Armed Forces.
On military cooperation, the two officials noted Canada’s increasing participation in joint and multilateral exercises, including its transition from observer to participant in Exercise “Balikatan” and continued engagement in other regional activities.
Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance cybersecurity cooperation through coordinated exercises, strengthened cyber command structures, and sustained capacity-building initiatives, contributing to a secure and resilient digital environment and a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“The engagement formed part of Lt. Gen. Boivin’s visit to the Philippines from April 19 to 22, 2026, in connection with his participation in the Opening Ceremony and Distinguished Visitors Program of Exercise ‘Balikatan’ 2026, as well as his visit to Canadian troops participating in the exercise for the first time,” the DND added. (PNA)