The Philippines and New Zealand are moving to accelerate defense cooperation as both countries push for the ratification of a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), while Manila advances a broader concept that would position the country as a venue for strategic convergence among like-minded nations.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and New Zealand Minister of Defence Christopher Penk discussed the proposed SOVFA during a meeting on the sidelines of the 23rd International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Friday, May 29.

During the bilateral meeting, Teodoro and Penk reviewed the participation of New Zealand forces in flagship military exercises of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), specifically Balikatan and Salaknib, to advance regional readiness.

“Assuming the SOVFA is ratified and approved by the Senate, we will immediately put in place the access arrangements and the agreements, especially the activities. They [New Zealand officials] are also interested in disaster risk reduction,” Teodoro told reporters in an interview.

The proposed SOVFA was signed by the two countries in Manila on April 30, 2025. Teodoro explained that New Zealand's keen interest in humanitarian assistance and disaster risk reduction aligns with a broader diplomatic strategy to position the Philippines as a unique theater for international cooperation.

“I also presented a concept to them which I will reveal in my speech on Sunday. Actually, it is the work of Professor Jay Batongbacal, which I asked him to do. It is about why countries should converge in the Philippines. It serves as a basis for convergence and it is still a work in progress, so that engagements in the Philippines will have a unique character on the international stage," Teodoro bared.

The upcoming presentation is tied to Teodoro's scheduled plenary talk on "Evolving Security Partnerships in a Fragmenting World" at the three-day security summit running from May 29 to 31. The Shangri-La Dialogue is a premier Indo-Pacific defense forum convening defense ministers, military chiefs, and policymakers to debate pressing regional security issues.

At the previous year's summit, Teodoro delivered an address on "Cross-Regional Security Interlinkages" where he echoed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s 2024 keynote speech advocating for a rules-based international order to sustain stability.

Teodoro noted that geopolitical dynamics naturally position the country as a neutral ground where global powers can interact productively despite outside tensions.

“Because aren't we already converging in the Philippines? Even if there are misunderstandings elsewhere, Europe, America—none of them are fighting with each other in the Philippines, so they need to converge here. So I asked Professor Batongbacal to find out what value we should be articulating. And he gave me his thoughts on it, so I will present it this Sunday,” he said.

The DND’s push for wider security networks occurs simultaneously as Manila and Tokyo are currently moving toward finalizing a General Security of Information Agreement (GSOMIA) to facilitate secure intelligence sharing.

Asked about Manila and Tokyo’s GSOMIA, Teodoro described the step as a natural progression for high-level defense ties.

“That's logical. Truly, when you are engaging at that kind of, that level, you need a GSOMIA. And it also smoothens the way for a lot of things because only cleared people would be able to handle information,” Teodoro said.

In Manila, the AFP expressed strong support for the deepening ties with Tokyo as AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) retired admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad welcomed a defense pledge made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to President Marcos Jr. involving military equipment transfers, including the potential acquisition of decommissioned Abukuma-class destroyer escorts.

Trinidad noted that the Philippine Navy has completed a joint vessel inspection of six available Abukuma-class ships, though final allocations from the DND remain pending.

“This defense partnership augurs well with the ongoing Horizon 3 modernization program and aligns perfectly with our Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC). As a maritime nation, upgrading our maritime domain awareness (MDA) and humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) capabilities is a necessity,” Trinidad added.

While building the strategic partnerships, the DND said it continues to monitor Chinese activities within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ), particularly around Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) where unverified reports of new construction have surfaced.

“There is raw information, and what I am actually saying is that Bajo de Masinloc is a dynamic area, so even though what is happening there is still minor, we are already monitoring it,” Teodoro confirmed when questioned about potential structures in the shoal.

Teodoro also highlighted the contrast between the flourishing partnerships with Japan and New Zealand versus the friction with China. In Tokyo, Marcos delivered a speech before the Japanese National Diet where he highlighted how Manila and Tokyo overcame historical wartime difficulties to forge a comprehensive strategic partnership.

When asked if China could eventually reach a similar status of trust with the Philippines by overcoming its current geopolitical disputes, Teodoro pointed directly to Beijing's governance model and its refusal to align with global consensus.

“Well, it will depend on the government system. We don't have any problem with the Chinese people. But their government has a problem because they have their own way of doing things in the world, and they do not accept the voice of the world, right? That is why they are not believable to many,” Teodoro said.

He concluded that while long-term peace is the ultimate goal, the current lack of reliability from Beijing necessitates that the Philippines maintain strong defensive capabilities and robust international alliances.

“So, you know, it is something we should aspire to—that hopefully deterrence won't be necessary anymore. Though I can't really say it won't be needed because you can never be sure when you will need it, which is why it shouldn't be neglected. But as for the day coming when they have a government that shows sincerity to others and can be believed, well, right now they don't have that,” Teodoro said.