The National Security Council (NSC) has announced a groundbreaking alliance that promises to strengthen the Philippines’ defense capabilities. On Friday, the council highlighted the recent signing of the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) between the Philippines and New Zealand as a significant move to enhance capacity against various threats.
“This partnership marks a crucial step in boosting our readiness to face common challenges,” said National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año. These challenges range from natural disasters to transnational threats, including encroachments that challenge our sovereign rights.
Just days ago, the Philippines and New Zealand formalized this defense pact, enabling joint military exercises and deeper defense collaboration. For Año, this agreement embodies the shared dedication of both nations to uphold a rules-based international order, maintain peace and stability in the region, and strengthen cooperation in both security and humanitarian efforts.
The deal also aims to improve interoperability between the armed forces of Manila and Wellington. “Through joint training, capacity building, and disaster response collaboration, we are preparing for crises with unity and resolve,” Año emphasized, recalling their shared risks as nations situated along the volatile Pacific Ring of Fire.
Importantly, Año clarified that this agreement is not aimed at any particular country. Instead, it reaffirms a commitment to international law, freedom of navigation, and peaceful dispute resolution. “By deepening partnerships with like-minded nations like New Zealand, the Philippines asserts its dedication to national security while promoting regional harmony, resilience, and mutual respect,” he added.
The Philippines’ 1987 Constitution bars permanent foreign military bases on its soil. However, agreements like SOVFA allow foreign troops temporary entry for specific activities. The country maintains a longstanding Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States, effective since 1999, permitting temporary visits for joint exercises and humanitarian missions. A similar arrangement with Australia has been in place since 2007.
This latest pact with New Zealand signals a fresh chapter in the Philippines’ effort to strengthen its defense and disaster response capabilities, fortifying partnerships vital for regional security in an unpredictable world.