PH, New Zealand to sign visiting forces deal in second quarter

The Philippines and New Zealand have finalized the text of their Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) and aim to sign the deal in the second quarter of 2025, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Thursday.

“After finalizing the text of the Agreement, both sides expressed optimism toward the signing of the Agreement in the second quarter of 2025,” the DND said in a statement.

On Thursday, the Philippines and New Zealand concluded their talks for the SOVFA. The last negotiating round was hosted by the New Zealand’s camp via a hybrid arrangement, according to the DND.

DND Undersecretary Pablo Lorenzo and New Zealand Ministry of Defense Director Kathleen Pearce led the Philippine and New Zealand delegations, respectively.

The Philippine negotiating panel was composed of the following:

• Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces Undersecretary Antonio Habulan Jr.;
• DND Assistant Secretaries Marita I. Yoro and Erik Lawrence Dy;
• Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretaries Aileen Mendiola-Rau and Patrick Chuasoto and Officer-in-Charge Paulo Saret;
• Department of Justice (DOJ) State Counsels Ma. Pamelyn Omalin, Dave Fatalla, and Albert Abragan.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand camp was composed of the following:

• representatives from the MoD, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, who participated virtually from Wellington.
• Her Excellency Dr. Catherine McIntosh
• the Ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines, and other Embassy officials.

“A SOVFA between the Philippines and New Zealand will bolster defense and military ties between the two countries, enabling the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) to conduct exercises in each other’s territories,” the DND said.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution prohibits foreign troops from establishing permanent military bases in the country. Through agreements like the VFA, foreign militaries may be allowed to enter the countries for activities.

The Philippines and the United States have a VFA that became effective in 1999 and now serves a legal framework that allows US forces to visit Manila temporarily for military exercises and give humanitarian and disaster-response assistance.

Also, the Philippines had a similar deal with Australia that was signed in 2007.

The Philippines in the past years has expanded maritime and defense security cooperation with other countries amid the tensions with China in the West Philippines Sea. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News