PH, Canada to beef up cybersecurity cooperation

By Priam Nepomuceno, Philippine News Agency

The Canadian delegation also noted upcoming cybersecurity engagements with the Philippines, including a potential visit by the Commander of Canada’s Cyber Command. (File photo: Michael Marais/Unsplash)

MANILA – The Department of National Defense (DND) on Friday announced that the Philippines and Canada have agreed to beef up their cybersecurity cooperation.

This came into force after DND officials led by Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino met with Canada’s Cyber Envoy, Sami Khoury of the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) on Thursday to discuss ways to further strengthen the two nations’ ties on this vital defensive aspect, according to a news release from the agency.

Discussions centered on deepening cybersecurity collaboration, exchanging best practices in policy development, and exploring capacity-building initiatives to enhance cyber defense capabilities.

The Canadian delegation also noted upcoming cybersecurity engagements with the Philippines, including a potential visit by the Commander of Canada’s Cyber Command.

Khoury provided insights into Canada’s cybersecurity incident response framework and ongoing national threat assessments, underscoring the importance of proactive measures in mitigating cyber risks.

The Canadian and Philippine sides also explored best practices in cyber governance, particularly Canada’s approach to consolidating cyber functions under a single agency, the National Cyber Center.

Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defense and security cooperation, recognizing that a secure and resilient cyberspace is essential to safeguarding national and regional stability.

Meanwhile, DND Office for Cyber and Information System Management (OCISM) Director Christine June Cariño emphasized the need to strengthen cyber resilience and enhance information-sharing mechanisms to counter evolving cyber threats.

She highlighted Canada’s National Cyber Threat Assessment as a valuable model for bolstering cybersecurity strategies, particularly in support of the newly established Armed Forces of the Philippines Cyber Command.

Farewell call

As this developed, DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. bade farewell to outgoing Japanese defense attaché, Col. Akiba Kazuaki, and his replacement, Col. Aizawa Naoki, on March 12.

In a statement Friday, the DND said the Japanese officials’ joint courtesy call took place at the DND building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

“Secretary Teodoro expressed his appreciation for Akiba’s dedicated service and valuable contributions in strengthening defense cooperation between the Philippines and Japan. Under Akiba’s tenure, bilateral defense relations reached new milestones, marked by the signing of two landmark agreements: the Philippines-Japan Terms of Reference (TOR) on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) and the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA),” DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said.

He added that the two officials also discussed the key outcomes of Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen’s visit to the Philippines last Feb. 22 to 24.

“They reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to further enhancing defense cooperation, particularly in addressing shared security challenges, with a strong focus on maritime security,” Andolong said.

He added that Teodoro is optimistic that Philippines-Japan defense relations will retain its positive momentum under Aizawa, especially with the upcoming entry into force of the RAA.

“The call concluded with Secretary Teodoro expressing his regards and best wishes for Col. Akiba’s future endeavors,” Andolong said.