OTTAWA — Defence Minister David McGuinty has signed a defence co-operation agreement with the Philippines during a visit to the country.

The agreement will allow the Canadian and Philippine armed forces to work closer together by participating in operations and exercises in each other’s territories, a National Defence press release said Sunday. The pact follows an earlier memorandum of agreement that included military education, training and capacity building.

“Canada values the Philippines’ vital role in Southeast Asia and remains committed to deepening our defence and security co-operation for regional stability and shared prosperity,” McGuinty said in the release.

The Philippines is one of Canada’s most important defence partners in the Indo-Pacific region, the government said in the

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