The Philippines and New Zealand are set to sign a defense agreement that will allow the two countries’ militaries to conduct exercises in each other’s territories, New Zealand’s Defense Minister Judith Collins said on Monday, April 28.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and New Zealand’s Defense Minister Judith Collins (File Photo, AP)

A statement on the official website of the New Zealand government said that Collins will travel to the Philippines on Monday to sign the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SoVFA). She will be in the country until May 2.

“It formally sets the legal framework for engagement between our respective militaries, better facilitating ongoing cooperation, activities and exercises in each of our territories,” the minister stated.

“The agreement follows a commitment made by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during Mr. Luxon’s visit to Manila last year,” she added.

After the signing of the agreement, it will undergo a final ratification process in the Senate.

While in the Philippines, Collins will meet with the President, as well as with Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. for a bilateral meeting.

“We are committed to reinvigorating our security relationships, to playing our part, and working with regional partners such as the Philippines to uphold the international rules-based order,” Collins said.

According to New Zealand, the SoVFA is a treaty-level document that sets out the legalities of the military cooperation between the two countries. In signing it, the Philippines and New Zealand will bolster their defense and military ties, enabling their armed forces to enter into military exercises in both countries’ territories.

The agreement is a product of the 2024 Mutual Logistics Supporting Arrangement and the 2012 Defense Cooperation Arrangement.

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

The Philippines have several VFAs, including one with the United States that serves a legal framework to allow US forces to visit Manila temporarily for military exercises.

It also has an existing deal with Australia, as well as Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan that will allow Filipino soldiers to undergo combat training with their counterparts in Japan.

These increased maritime and defense alliances came on the heels of China’s aggressive actions in the region, which it continues to claim almost in its entirety despite the 2016 arbitral tribunal win that invalidated the basis of these claims.