The Philippines is forging closer defence ties with Canada as both countries attempt to limit Beijing’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and confront concerns about supply chains and disinformation.

“The bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Canada has entered a new phase, a new era, and I’m very, very optimistic,” said Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

“We are aligned because the both of us uphold the rule of international law.”

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Teodoro said his country has other maritime boundary disputes with Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia, but none of those countries undertake “subversion” as China does.

He said Beijing is driving information operations that seek to undermine sovereignty, even if China dismisses those claims.

Teodoro said Canada could partner more on trade, logistics, critical minerals, energy, cybersecurity and agriculture, because both countries understand the importance of supply chains and protecting underwater cables from being held hostage in a political dispute.

“The danger is there. The imminence, I do not know. But what we need to be doing is to reduce that imminence, because the probability exists,” Teodoro said.

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