New Defense Pact with South Korea in the Works
Military leaders in the Philippines have revealed plans to establish a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with South Korea. This announcement came during the closing ceremony of the annual Balikatan Exercise between the Philippines and the United States.
General Romeo Brawner Jr., the Armed Forces chief, confirmed that Manila has already signed similar agreements with New Zealand and is close to finalizing deals with Canada and France. He expressed hope that South Korea will soon join this list.
Steps to Begin After South Korean Elections
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. explained that the Philippine government will start preliminary talks, or “scoping,” only after South Korea’s elections scheduled for June 3. He emphasized that no formal actions will take place until the elections conclude.
According to Teodoro, the VFA with South Korea is crucial because the Philippine military and Seoul’s forces already share interoperability. Bukod pa rito, some Philippine defense equipment originates from South Korea, making cooperation even more important.
Understanding the Visiting Forces Agreement
The 1987 Philippine Constitution prohibits permanent foreign military bases in the country. However, agreements like the VFA allow foreign troops to enter temporarily for joint exercises and humanitarian missions.
The existing VFA with the United States, effective since 1999, provides the legal framework for US forces to visit the Philippines. Manila also has a similar deal with Australia, signed in 2007, and recently signed a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) with New Zealand earlier this year.
Expanding Defense Partnerships Amid Regional Tensions
In recent years, the Philippines has broadened its maritime and defense collaborations amid rising tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including areas claimed by the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations.
To reinforce its sovereignty, the Philippine government renamed parts of the disputed waters as the West Philippine Sea. This includes areas around Luzon Sea, Kalayaan Island Group, and Bajo de Masinloc.
In 2016, an international tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines, invalidating China’s expansive claims. Despite this, China continues to reject the ruling, keeping the maritime dispute a pressing national security concern.