Canada, the Philippines, Japan, and the US hold a joint patrol in the South China Sea on June 16, 2024. (Photo: US Navy)

The Royal Canadian Navy deployed Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montreal to join the Philippine Navy’s patrol ship, Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force Murasame-class destroyer, and the US Navy’s guided-missile destroyer, the US Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom) said in a statement. It also said that the activity demonstrates the collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in the maritime domain.

The US, Canada, Japan, and the Philippines conducted a joint maritime exercise in the South China Sea in April. Japan is committed to strengthening its partnerships with like-minded countries in upholding freedom of navigation and rule of law, the Japanese embassy said in a statement.

The Philippines and Canada signed an MoU on defence cooperation earlier this year, a move which military officials said could later lead to a troop pact between the two countries.