Philippines, New Zealand Eye Closer Defense Ties Under Visiting Forces Framework

Philippines, New Zealand Eye Closer Defense Ties Under Visiting Forces Framework

By KLT
July 8, 2025 | Quezon City, Philippines

Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. received Major General Robert Krushka, Commander of the Joint Forces of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), during a courtesy visit to the Department of National Defense on Monday, marking another step in Manila’s efforts to strengthen international military partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.

The two officials discussed ongoing security developments in the region and explored future avenues for defense cooperation, particularly under the pending implementation of the Philippines-New Zealand Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA).

Teodoro highlighted the potential role of the NZDF in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations as well as in expanded multilateral defense engagements involving the Philippines, the United States, Australia, and Japan. “There are significant opportunities for New Zealand to participate in future bilateral and multilateral military exercises as soon as the SOVFA enters into force,” Teodoro said, referring to the quadrilateral security cooperation evolving in the Indo-Pacific.

General Krushka, for his part, reiterated New Zealand’s long-standing support for the Philippines and expressed interest in expanding collaboration in areas such as logistics, training, and military education. He emphasized New Zealand’s willingness to contribute to the Philippines’ evolving security needs, particularly in capacity-building initiatives between the NZDF and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Both sides committed to advancing the defense partnership through the reactivation of existing bilateral mechanisms, including the Bilateral Defense Talks and the Mutual Assistance Programme (MAP) Talks.

The meeting reflects the Marcos administration’s broader push to deepen strategic engagements with like-minded partners amid shifting regional dynamics and growing emphasis on rules-based maritime cooperation.