Expanded SOVFAs with like-minded countries eyed

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. yesterday raised the possibility of expanding the Philippines’ Status of Visiting Forces Agreements (SOVFAs) with like-minded countries to strengthen international peacekeeping cooperation and enhance military interoperability.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Association of Asia-Pacific Peace Operations Training Centers 13th Annual General Meeting and Workshop 2026, Teodoro said expanding the SOVFAs with other nations will advance collective security efforts under the auspices of the United Nations.

The Philippines has SOVFAs with France, Canada, Australia, Japan and New Zealand, anchored on shared principles of international law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, interoperability, collective security and deterrence.

“It opens up my eyes, too, to the possibility of stronger relationships to include perhaps Status of Visiting Forces Agreements with countries where we do not have a misalignment of fundamental values,” Teodoro said.

He emphasized that such partnerships could facilitate more realistic joint training, strengthen force protection and improve the delivery of essential services to conflict-affected communities.

The defense chief also urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines to actively cooperate with regional peacekeeping partners and explore opportunities to enhance defense cooperation, citing peacekeeping as a powerful instrument of military diplomacy that builds knowledge sharing, professional relationships and partnerships among participating countries.

He stressed the necessity of having proper rules of engagement, effective command-and-control arrangements and adequate force protection measures to ensure that peacekeepers can perform their mandated tasks without being unnecessarily exposed to harm while maintaining the credibility and effectiveness of UN peacekeeping operations.

Regional defense

Teodoro will also lead discussions to advance regional defense dialogue and strengthen cooperation among ASEAN member-states and dialogue partners during the meetings in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

The Philippines, through the Department of National Defense, will host the 20th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting and the 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) on Oct. 28 and 29 as part of the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN chairship under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together.”

As chair of the ADMM and ADMM-Plus for 2026, Teodoro is scheduled to hold meetings with his counterparts to discuss bilateral defense cooperation and matters of mutual interest.