News
PH, New Zealand seal visiting forces pact
DEFENSE DEAL. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (center) witnesses the signing of the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) between the Philippines and New Zealand in Malacañang on Wednesday (April 30, 2025).
The new deal, signed by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.
and New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins, provides the legal framework for the deployment of troops in each other’s territories for joint exercises. (PNA photo by Darryl John Esguerra)
By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency
MANILA – The Philippines and New Zealand on Wednesday signed a defense deal that would enable both countries’ armed forces to enhance their cooperative activities and conduct joint exercises in each other’s territories.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins signed the treaty documents for the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) at Malacañang in the presence of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The President welcomed Collins and her delegation to the presidential palace and conveyed his gratitude to the New Zealand government for the progress in the two countries’ partnership “in the face of all that is happening” not only in the region but in the entire world.
“Those partnerships that we have formed, the agreements that we have made, bilaterally and on a multilateral basis as well, have been extremely important,” Marcos said.
The new defense deal aligns with the Philippines’ broader strategy to deepen security partnerships with like-minded nations in response to growing assertiveness by China in the West Philippine Sea — part of the vast South China Sea within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone — where recent incidents involving Chinese vessels have raised alarm.
The Philippines has similar defense pacts with the United States and Australia, while another defense deal is being pursued with France.
A commitment to conclude a SOVFA was one of the key outcomes of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s visit to Manila in April 2024.
The new treaty will have to be ratified by the Senate before it comes into force.
On Tuesday, Marcos and visiting Japan Prime Minister agreed to begin negotiations on an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement that would allow the exchange of logistical support to further deepen security and defense cooperation.
This builds on their Reciprocal Access Agreement — a deal similar in scope to the SOVFA.
