PH, France sign visiting forces deal to deepen defense ties

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and France signed a visiting forces agreement in Paris, establishing a legal framework for joint military activities as Manila expands defense ties beyond its traditional partners amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin formalized the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) on Thursday, the Department of National Defense said in a joint press release issued Friday.

The agreement sets the terms for the presence of Filipino and French troops in each other’s territory during joint exercises, training and other activities, and defines legal protections and jurisdiction for visiting forces.

Teodoro said the deal was reached swiftly, just a year after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. authorized negotiations and ordered the process expedited.

“We were able to reach this stage in record time,” he said in his speech during the signing, citing “years of trust and confidence” between the two countries.

The pact adds France to a growing list of countries with which the Philippines has formal defense arrangements, part of Manila’s push to diversify security partnerships as maritime disputes with China persist.

READ: PH, French military hold drills in West Philippine Sea

Teodoro said the agreement is aimed at “enhancing both our individual and collective defense capabilities.”

He also framed the deal as part of broader efforts to uphold international law.

“It is… also equally important… to protecting the international order under the regime of international law,” he said, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

Both sides reaffirmed adherence to Unclos and the 2016 arbitral ruling on the West Philippine Sea, according to the joint statement.

The agreement builds on a 2023 letter of intent to strengthen defense relations and comes amid increased engagements between the two countries, including port visits, training activities and disaster response cooperation, the joint press release said.

READ: France awaits PH response on submitted first draft of VFA

Teodoro said the deal also reflects the need for stronger “cross-regional cooperation” in security, noting that countries can work “for a shared goal and purpose” even in different areas.

The move underscores Manila’s effort to expand defense ties beyond the Indo-Pacific, including with European partners such as France, as it seeks to bolster its security posture through a wider network of alliances. /das