His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Montreal is on goodwill visit to Philippines “as part of Canada's strong commitment, engagement in the region under its Indo-Pacific Strategy.” Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Canada's warship HMCS Montreal arrived at the Manila South Harbor on Friday as the Royal Canadian Navy (RN) began its "goodwill visit" in the Philippines until August 6.

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HMCS Montreal is capable of anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air warfare, search and rescue missions.

The deployment of the warship is part of Canada's bid to "to promote peace and stability in support of a rules-based international order in some of the world's busiest and most vital waterways."

The operation also "seeks to reinforce ties with international allies and strengthen relationships with like-minded nations."

China has protested the warship’s passage through the Taiwan Strait on its way to the Philippines but HMCS Montreal's commanding officer Travis Bain said the transit was "lawful." Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News

China has protested the warship’s passage through the Taiwan Strait on its way to the Philippines.

According to HMCS Montreal's commanding officer Travis Bain, the transit was "lawful."

“We are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific. We transited lawfully though international waters and in doing so we followed all the rules and regulations,” Bain said. 

AGENDA

During the visit, HMCS Montreal will have a full program, including professional development and training opportunities with the Philippine Navy, community outreach, and local engagements, and a friendly game of ice hockey and an exchange between cooks of the ship and the Philippine Navy.

The HMCS Montreal, together with an embarked air detachment operating a CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter, has 247 sailors, soldiers, and aviators on board.

Among them are 4 of Philippine descent, including Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicole Fabella who hails from Zamboanga City.

"Being in the forces as a Filipino-Canadian, I would say as a Filipino we are very proud, we take a lot of pride in what we do and I very much take that into what I do in my career,” Fabella said.

DEFENSE PACT

Canada's Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman said the arrival of HMCS Montreal was another demonstration of the close relationship between Canada and the Philippines.

“This is yet again a tangible demonstration, under the auspices of our Indo-Pacific strategy, of our commitment to the Philippines and to the people of the Philippines," Hartman said. 

Last January, the 2 countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation, and with steps being taken to conclude a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SoVFA).

“We are much more optimistic that we will be able to conclude far more quickly and we really are hoping to advance in the coming months. The reality is we have already exchanged texts, drafts... I remain very optimistic that we will be able to conclude and ideally announce something in the not distant future, ideally in the next couple of months,” he said.

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Last month, the Philippines and Japan signed a key defense pact that would allow the deployment of troops on each other's territory, as they boost ties in the face of China's growing assertiveness.

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