In a significant step toward strengthening regional security ties, the Philippines and New Zealand signed a defense pact on April 30, paving the way for enhanced military collaboration through joint training and exercises on each other’s soil.

The Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) was signed at Malacañang Palace by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr and New Zealand Minister of Defense Judith Collins, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr witnessing the ceremony.

The agreement marks a milestone in the defense relationship between the two countries, particularly as they navigate a shifting Indo-Pacific security landscape. It is expected to streamline the deployment of troops for training missions, joint exercises, and humanitarian response operations.

During a courtesy call by the New Zealand delegation earlier that day, President Marcos underscored the importance of strengthening defense partnerships amid escalating regional tensions. 

“It is well recognized that these partnerships will become very important in the face of all that is happening, not only in our region,” he told Collins and her delegation. 

Collins, who flew to Manila for the signing, echoed the president’s remarks and lauded the strong state of bilateral relations. 

The SOVFA establishes the legal framework governing the presence and activities of visiting military forces, ensuring mutual accountability and clearly defined protocols. Negotiations for the agreement began informally in 2023 and formally opened on January 23 this year, concluding by mid-February.

“This reflects the strength of New Zealand’s relationship with the Philippines, of which defense is a key element. Our militaries already work well together, and this agreement will create the conditions for even more seamless cooperation in the defense space,” Collins said. 

Teodoro welcomed the pact as a timely and necessary measure, highlighting New Zealand’s commitment to peace, stability, and the international rules-based order.

“We will increase the pace of our interactions both bilaterally and multilaterally,” Teodoro said. “Thank you also for the opportunities that you have granted our defense establishment to further their education and their exposure to the evolving nature of the defense ecosystem.”

The defense chief also pledged to expedite the internal processes necessary for Senate concurrence and full ratification of the agreement.

“We are indeed fortunate to have a partner as, you know, distant to us but as close to us at the same time as New Zealand — shoulder-to-shoulder,” he added.

Pact aims to counter regional threats 

At a joint press conference in Makati City, Teodoro emphasized the strategic importance of the SOVFA, particularly in deterring coercive behavior in the region.

“With China, for example, being particularly aggressive in the way it does, we need to deter this kind of unwanted behavior,” he said.

He and Collins also agreed to deepen cooperation in areas such as maritime domain awareness, defense supply chains, and military education and training.

According to the Department of National Defense, “the signing of the SOVFA marks a significant milestone in the bilateral defense relationship and demonstrates the strong and growing partnership between the two countries.”

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año likewise hailed the agreement as an “important milestone,” saying it reflects a maturing strategic partnership between Manila and Wellington.

“This landmark agreement demonstrates our shared commitment to a rules-based international order, regional peace and stability, and enhanced cooperation in both security and humanitarian domains,” Año said on May 2.

He stressed that the pact is not directed at any one country but affirms a shared dedication to international law, freedom of navigation, and peaceful dispute resolution.

Año also cited the relevance of the SOVFA in boosting joint disaster response capabilities, noting that both countries are located within the Pacific Ring of Fire and frequently experience natural calamities.

Focus on shared security challenges 

“This agreement is not directed against any one state, but rather stands as a clear affirmation that the Philippines and New Zealand are committed to international law, freedom of navigation, and the peaceful resolution of disputes,” Año said.

The national security adviser added that the partnership strengthens both nations’ ability to address shared threats, whether natural disasters, transnational crime, or external encroachments on sovereign rights.

“By deepening our security cooperation with like-minded nations, such as New Zealand, the Philippines reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding national interests while promoting regional stability, resilience, and mutual respect among nations,” he said.

The SOVFA builds on a 2017 memorandum of agreement between the Department of National Defense, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and New Zealand’s Ministry of Defense. Officials from both sides describe the new pact as a forward-looking framework for enhancing defense diplomacy and interoperability.

The Philippines already maintains similar agreements with key defense partners, including a Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States and Australia, both of which regularly take part in large-scale military drills within Philippine territory, including areas near the South China Sea.

In 2024, Manila also signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan, which is currently awaiting ratification by the Japanese parliament. Ongoing negotiations with Canada and France aim to establish similar arrangements.

Ahead of her visit, Collins said New Zealand is committed to playing a larger role in regional security. “We are committed to reinvigorating our security relationships, to playing our part, and working with regional partners such as the Philippines to uphold the international rules-based order,” she said.

The Philippines is currently in the midst of a three-week joint exercise with the United States, simulating a “full-scale battle scenario” to enhance deterrence capabilities, particularly in the face of rising maritime tensions with China.

While Malacañang has yet to release the full text of the agreement, the SOVFA will enter into force once ratified by the Philippine Senate, unlocking deeper defense cooperation and rapid-response capability between the two Indo-Pacific partners.

The signing of this pact signifies Manila’s strategic effort to diversify its security partnerships, and reaffirm its commitment to a stable and rules-based Indo-Pacific. 

Photo credit: Department of National Defense, Philippines. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. (right) and New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins (left) hold a joint press conference in Manila, following their bilateral defense meeting on April 30, 2025.