Philippines, New Zealand to sign visiting forces deal in April —DND

The Philippines and New Zealand are set to sign their visiting forces deal in April, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said on Monday. 

“We have finalized discussions on visiting forces agreements with both New Zealand, which will be signed in April, and with Canada, where the final round of negotiations have been made,” Teodoro said in his speech during the 49th founding anniversary event of the Western Command (WESCOM).

On February 20, the DND said the Philippines and New Zealand had finalized the text of their Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) and aimed to sign the deal in the second quarter of 2025.

“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 has said.

“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,” it added.

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 as 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.—LDF, GMA Integrated News