SOVFA to boost cooperation on border security

MANILA, Philippines - The Status of the Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) between the Philippines and Australia would enhance the two countries’ cooperation on border security, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said yesterday.

Gazmin thanked the Senate for ratifying the SOVFA, saying it would also enhance bilateral relations between the two countries.

“This will really help a lot because we have secured another ally who will help us with our security issues in the region,” the defense chief told radio dzRH.

“We will have clear exchanges of information, exchanges of technology on border security, maritime border security as well as our anti-terrorist campaign,” he added.

The ratification of SOVFA came as the Philippines is embroiled in a tense territorial row with China over areas in the West Philippine Sea, which has vast marine and natural resources.

Officials, however, said the visiting forces agreement is not directed against China or any country in particular.

“The agreement will broaden our cooperation on maritime security, border security will enhance the capability and training of the armed forces,” Gazmin said.

He said the SOVFA would also promote interoperability among the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Australian Defense Force.

Voting 17-1, the Senate ratified the SOVFA between the Philippines and Australia on Tuesday amid criticisms that the agreement would violate the country’s sovereignty.

Only Sen. Joker Arroyo voted against the SOVFA. Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who earlier expressed concerns over the agreement, were absent during the voting.

Those who voted to ratify the SOVFA were Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. Loren Legarda who heads the foreign relations committee, and Senators Edgardo Angara, Pia Cayetano, Franklin Drilon, Francis Escudero, Teofisto Guingona III, Gregorio Honasan II, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, Francis Pangilinan, Aquilino Pimentel III, Ramon Revilla Jr., Antonio Trillanes IV and Manuel Villar Jr.

The SOVFA allows troops from Australia to temporarily use land and sea areas of the Philippines for combined training, exercises or other activities agreed upon by the two parties.

The agreement was signed on May 31, 2007 in Canberra, Australia. The Arroyo administration submitted the agreement to the Senate for concurrence in 2008.