MANILA, Philippines - Canada wants to strengthen its defense ties with the Philippines, Gen. Tom Lawson, Canada’s chief of the defense staff, said during his visit on June 2 and 3.
“This visit provided me with an excellent opportunity to exchange information and to strengthen our defense relationship and dialogue with the Philippines,†Lawson said.
“We will continue our efforts to bolster defense relations and increase cooperation with Canada’s partners like the Philippines, in the Asia-Pacific region,†he added.
In a statement, the Canadian embassy said Lawson’s visit “aimed to highlight the importance of Canada’s security and defense engagement in the Asia-Pacific region.â€
Lawson met with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista. He also delivered a lecture about Canada’s role in the Asia Pacific at the National Defense College of the Philippines in Camp Aguinaldo.
“This high-level visit reflects our desire to further build the very productive defense relationship that Canada enjoys with the Philippines,†Canadian Ambassador Neil Reeder said in a statement.
“We hope to expand defense training cooperation with the Philippines’ armed forces following the recent signing of a bilateral MOU (memorandum of understanding) that will assist in building the capabilities of the AFP, enhance peace support operations and promote interoperability,†he added.
The Philippines and Canada signed a contract in March for eight Bell 412EP combat helicopters worth P4.8 billion.
The helicopters are capable of assault support, close air support and are adaptable for any mission. Each helicopter can accommodate 14 passengers and one crew. It will be acquired through the state-owned Canadian Commercial Corp.
The delivery of the helicopters will start in August 2015 and be completed in 2017.