Phl, New Zealand wrap up talks for VFA, signing eyed in Q2 2025

The Department of National Defense (DND) announced on Thursday that the Philippines and New Zealand are aiming to sign a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) in the second quarter of this year, following the conclusion of negotiations between the two nations.

DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the final round of negotiations was hosted by New Zealand via a hybrid arrangement on 18 February. The discussions were led by Defense Undersecretary Pablo Lorenzo and New Zealand Ministry of Defense (MoD) Director Kathleen Pearce.

“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 Defence Force (NZDF) to conduct exercises in each other’s territories,” Andolong said.

The Philippine negotiating panel included 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, along with Officer-in-Charge Paulo Saret; and Department of Justice (DOJ) state counsels Ma. Pamelyn Omalin, Dave Fatalla, and Albert Abragan.

New Zealand representatives from the MoD, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment participated virtually from Wellington. The New Zealand delegation was also joined by Ambassador Dr. Catherine McIntosh and other Embassy officials.

“After finalizing the text of the agreement, both sides expressed optimism for its signing in the second quarter of 2025,” Andolong said.

The Philippines and New Zealand officially began SOVFA negotiations on 23 January 2025, with the first round of talks hosted by the Philippine government in Manila.

The agreement will reinforce the 2017 Memorandum of Arrangement between the DND, AFP, and New Zealand’s MoD concerning defense cooperation. It will enhance military collaboration by allowing both countries' armed forces to conduct joint exercises and cooperative activities in each other's territories.