MANILA — The Philippines on Wednesday said negotiations are ongoing to forge new defense cooperations with at least three other countries amid the escalating tension in the West Philippine Sea.

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Aside from France and Canada, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said the Philippines is in talks with New Zealand for another potential Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA)

“We are now in alliance building so the SOVFA with New Zealand is an important part of our country’s initiative to resist China's unilateral narrative to change international law,” said Teodoro.

Teodoro is hoping the SOVFA with New Zealand will be realized within the year, after the first round of formal negotiations pushed through last January 23. 

“There is strong political commitment to concluding a status of visiting Forces Agreement, and officials met recently for productive and constructive discussions, our first round of negotiations,” said New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Catherine McIntosh.

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As part of the Indo-Pacific region, New Zealand has joined the long list of nations expressing serious concern over increasingly aggressive actions by China in the West Philippine Sea.

For over a month now, China Coast Guard vessel 5901, dubbed the “monster ship” for its sheer size, has been conducting multiple incursions in waters near the vicinity of Zambales, within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. 

Two other Chinese Coast Guard vessel were also spotted last weekend near Pangasinan. 

The AFP Western Mindanao Command also reported three Chinese Navy vessels that sailed through Mindoro Strait towards Sulu Sea.

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“Eh dinadaan sa laki eh (They are throwing their weight around), they’re just proving to the world what kind of people they are, the Chinese Communist Party," Teodoro said.

Teodoro also gave updates on the VFA talks with Canada and France.

“Hopefully, we want a serious phase of negotiations with Canada to go faster, and also France. You know, as many as possible. We need to interoperate, we need interoperability and the Philippines Armed Forces needs to train with other armed forces because the dimensions of conflict are changing,” Teodoro added.

So far, the Philippines has the Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States, a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with Australia, and the freshly ratified Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan.

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