MANILA - Canada is determined to grow its defense relationship with the Philippines by exploring opportunities to enhance defense cooperation, including military trainings, cooperation programs and capacity-building initiatives.
According to Canada&rsquo;s Ambassador to Manila David Hartman, Canada is delivering on its commitments in the Indo-Pacific as His Majesty&rsquo;s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Vancouver, with its embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel, end its participation in the bilateral naval exercise dubbed as SAMASAMA or "together" in English, with the United States Navy (USN) and the Philippine Navy, from October 2 to 13, 2023.
&ldquo;Canada and the Philippines share a common commitment to the rules-based international order, international law, and democracy. Military exercises such as this one build upon and reinforce the already robust ties between our two countries,&rdquo; Hartman said.
Earlier, HMCS Vancouver docked in Manila South Harbor on September 29 for a goodwill visit and to participate in the said exercise.&nbsp; 
During a press conference onboard HMCS Vancouver, Hartman mentioned that the visit is already the third Canadian vessel to make a goodwill visit in the country last September.
&ldquo;We are enhancing our security and defence contribution by augmenting our regional naval presence and increasing our engagement in international exercises and operations,&rdquo; Hartman told reporters onboard Vancouver.
According to the Canadian Embassy in Manila, CAF members participated in the medical, legal, public affairs and Women, Peace and Security subject-matter expert exchanges during the shore phase of the exercise.
During the sea phase, HMCS Vancouver took part in activities focused on building partnerships, enhancing maritime domain awareness, interdiction, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
This phase also included patrols, cross-deck landing of embarked helicopters, and search and rescue drills to synchronize efforts with other participating navies.
Meanwhile, Commanding Officer of HMCS Vancouver Cdr Meghan Coates said that the Canadian Department of National Defense and Canadian Armed Forces will continue to explore opportunities for defense cooperation.
&ldquo;Canada is determined to grow its defence relationship with the Philippines and address shared security challenges to maintain a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific,&rdquo; Coates said.
&ldquo;This first-time participation in Exercise SAMASAMA reflects the Canadian Armed Forces commitment to play a meaningful and active role in the region, and to strengthen our relationship with our partners in the Armed Forces of the Philippines,&rdquo; Coates added.
She believes that &ldquo;consistent cooperation and collaborative training will benefit all participating partners by fostering close navy-to-navy relationships based on mutual security priorities and contribute to a peaceful and secure maritime environment.&rdquo;
HMCS Vancouver is now departing the Philippines to continue planned operations in the wider Indo-Pacific.

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Canada concludes participation in SAMASAMA Exercises; open to exploring opportunities to grow defense relationship with PH