PH eyes to ink VFA with New Zealand this year

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines hopes to sign a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with another “like-minded” partner within the year, Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro said on Tuesday, Feb. 4.

Teodoro said the VFA with the southwestern Pacific country will strengthen the country’s commitment to expanding relations with “like-minded” partners in the region.

“We are now in alliance building, so the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOFVA) with New Zealand is an important part of our initiative to resist China’s unilateral narrative to change international law,” Teodoro told reporters in an interview during New Zealand's Partner's Night in Makati.

He added that both countries have completed the first phase of negotiations and that the agreement will follow a similar framework to the VFA with Australia.

“We hope within the first semester of the year,” Teodoro said.

Teodoro also revealed that aside from New Zealand, the Philippines is working on VFAs with other nations.

"Hindi lang ito sa New Zealand, pero nakikipag-ugnayan din tayo sa Canada, France, at iba pang bansang Europeo," he said. (It's not just New Zealand; we are also working with Canada, France, and other European countries.)

New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Catherine McIntosh said the prospective military agreement underscores their commitment to the region.

“This represents really a change in our military cooperation and our military bilateral relationship. And it also demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to the region,” the envoy added.