The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is conducting a goodwill visit to the Philippines this month, as part of Canada’s strong commitment and engagement in the region under its Indo-Pacific Strategy.

His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Montreal arrived today and is docked at the Manila South Harbor until August 6th.

“The arrival of HMCS Montreal, is another demonstration of the exceptionally close relationship between Canada and the Philippines, especially as this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries,” said Canada’s Ambassador to the Philippines, David Hartman.

“The visit is also a clear demonstration of Canada’s dedication to regional security and stability. As maritime nations, Canada and the Philippines share a common interest in upholding a rules-based international order and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific” Ambassador Hartman added.

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 including a friendly game of ice hockey and an exchange between cooks of the ship and the Philippine Navy.

“Port visits are ideal occasions for our sailors, soldiers, and aviators to explore and strengthen the deep connection Canadians have with communities in the Indo-Pacific, including with our friends here in the Philippines,” Commander Travis Bain, Commanding Officer of HMCS Montreal said.

“Through our ongoing engagements in the Indo-Pacific, the Royal Canadian Navy is reinforcing partnerships with trusted partners from across the region. I look forward to working closely with the Philippine Navy throughout our visit to Manila to foster sailor-to-sailor exchanges and strengthen interoperability between our two navies,” Commander Bain added.

HMCS Montreal’s deployment is part of Operation HORIZON, which is Canada’s forward presence 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 seeks to reinforce ties with international allies and strengthen relationships with like-minded nations by integrating with partner navies, participating in training exercises, and engaging in military and diplomatic cooperation.

The visit also comes at an exciting time in the Canada-Philippines defence relationship with increased engagement and training opportunities under the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation Memorandum signed last January, especially as steps are now being taken to conclude a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SoVFA) between the two countries. As a sign of growing bilateral defence relations, the first Canadian Defence Attaché assigned to the Philippines was accredited in October 2023.

HMCS Montreal, together with an embarked air detachment operating a CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter, has approximately 250 highly trained and professional sailors, soldiers, and aviators, including four of Philippine descent. It is one of twelve Halifax-class frigates of the RCN. The ship is equipped with extensive anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare weapons and sensors to complement their substantial anti-air warfare defenses. The combination of these weapon and sensor systems, coupled with state-of-the-art damage control and machinery control systems, makes these frigates one of the most advanced warship designs in the world.

“I am happy to return to the Philippines as a member of the Royal Canadian Navy. We are doing important work for the peace and stability in the region. I look forward to helping strengthen our friendship and partnership with the Philippine Navy,” says Petty Officer 2nd class Nicole Fabella, an accomplished naval communicator originally from the Philippines.

HMCS Montreal continues the annual tradition of RCN ships visiting the Philippines. Last year, three vessels – the HMCS Vancouver, HMCS Ottawa, and the MV Asterix, an auxiliary supply vessel, completed port visits in Manila and Subic Bay. Later in 2024, HMCS Vancouver and HMCS Ottawa are expected to visit the Philippines again.

The ship’s namesake is the City of Montreal, in the province of Quebec, where approximately 45,000 Filipinos and Filipino-Canadians reside. (Photos by: Elmer Valenzuela)