The Department of National Defense (DND) announced Thursday, Feb. 20, the conclusion of the negotiations for the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) between the Philippines and New Zealand.
The final negotiating round was hosted by the New Zealand side via a hybrid arrangement last Feb. 18.
The two countries’ delegations were led by DND Undersecretary Pablo M. Lorenzo for the Philippine side and New Zealand Ministry of Defense (MoD) Director Kathleen Pearce.
“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,” DND spokesperson Asst. Sec. Arsenio Andolong said.
After finalizing the text of the agreement, Manila and Wellington expressed optimism toward the signing of the pact “in the second quarter of 2025.”
The Philippine negotiating panel was composed of 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; and Department of Justice (DOJ) State Counsels Ma. Pamelyn Omalin, Dave Fatalla, and Albert Abragan.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand's side was composed of representatives from the MoD, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, who participated virtually from Wellington.
The New Zealand delegation was also joined by Her Excellency Dr. Catherine McIntosh, the Ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines, and other embassy officials.
The first round of talks for the Philippines – New Zealand SOVFA was held in Manila last January 23. The DND described it as “an important step in strengthening bilateral defense ties between the Philippines and New Zealand.”
Once the visiting forces pact is sealed and ratified, New Zealand will just be the fourth country to establish such military agreement with the Philippines after the United States, Australia, and Japan.
The new military partnership comes at a time when the AFP is enhancing its military cooperation with strategic partners amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) due to China’s actions.
Gibo meets Czech Republic's defense chief
Meanwhile, DND Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. held a bilateral meeting with Czech Republic Defense Minister Jana Černochová in Makati City to reaffirm the enduring ties between both countries, which date back to the establishment of the diplomatic relations on October 5, 1973.
The meeting also marked the first official visit by a Czech defense minister to the Philippines, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Manila during World War II.
"The meeting underscored the resumption of the Philippine-Czech Joint Defense Committee (JDC), which convened on February 5, 2025. Both parties recognized the JDC as a crucial mechanism for enhancing defense cooperation, particularly in capability development, training, and defense industry collaboration," Andolong shared.
During their meeting, Teodoro provided updates on the security situation in the South China Sea (SCS)/West Philippine Sea (WPS) as the Philippines reiterated its commitment to a peaceful resolution of disputes through diplomatic channels while stressing that continued aggression in the SCS/WPS poses a threat to regional peace and stability.
He also discussed the Philippine Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) and emphasized the importance of investing in the AFP modernization program, supported by strategic financing packages and international partnerships.
Meanwhile, Černochová reaffirmed the Czech Republic’s commitment to deepening defense cooperation with the Philippines.
Their discussions also covered the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Revitalization Act, with the Philippines seeking like-minded partners to strengthen its defense industry and enhance domestic defense capabilities.
"Both sides explored avenues for enhanced cooperation in cybersecurity, focusing on skills development, and the exchange of best practices in addressing hybrid threats and disinformation campaigns," Andolong stated.