Philippines, New Zealand conclude talks on visiting forces agreement

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and New Zealand are one step closer to finalizing a deal that will allow the military forces of the two nations to hold joint exercises and other activities in each other’s territories.

Department of National Defense (DND) spokesman Arsenio Andolong announced yesterday that negotiations for a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) have been completed following the last round of talks held on Feb. 18.

After finalizing the text of the agreement, he said both sides expressed optimism about the signing of the deal in the second quarter of 2025.

Andolong said a SOVFA between the Philippines and New Zealand “will bolster defense and military ties between the two countries, enabling the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) to conduct exercises in each other’s territories.”

The final round of talks was led by DND Undersecretary Pablo Lorenzo and New Zealand Ministry of Defense (MoD) Director Kathleen Pearce, with New Zealand hosting the same via a hybrid arrangement.

Andolong said the Philippine negotiating panel was composed of Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces Undersecretary Antonio Habulan Jr.; DND Assistant Secretaries Marita Yoro and Erik Lawrence Dy; Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretaries Aileen Mendiola-Rau and Patrick Chuasoto and officer-in-charge Paulo Saret and Department of Justice (DOJ) state counsels Ma. Pamelyn Omalin, Dave Fatalla and Albert Abragan.

The New Zealand side was composed of representatives from the MoD, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, who participated virtually from Wellington.

Andolong said the New Zealand delegation was also joined by Ambassador Catherine McIntosh and other embassy officials.

The DND had earlier explained that once signed, the SOVFA will reinforce the 2017 Memorandum of Arrangement between the DND and the AFP with New Zealand’s MoD.

The DND said the conclusion of the agreement that may be likened to the VFA between the Philippines and the United States will also be a significant milestone for the overall bilateral relationship between the Philippines and New Zealand as the two countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2026.