MILITARY officials from New Zealand and the Philippines, which recently signed the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), yesterday discussed holding joint training activities and humanitarian assistance efforts.
The SOVFA provides the legal framework for military exercises between the two nations.
Maj. Gen. Robert Krushka, commander of the Joint Forces New Zealand, visited the general headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, and was welcomed by AFP deputy chief of staff Lt. Gen. Rommel Roldan.
In a statement, the AFP said the visit and subsequent meeting underscored the “strong and growing defense relationship” between the Philippines and New Zealand.
“The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral military cooperation, sharing insights on regional security challenges, and exploring opportunities for joint training and humanitarian assistance efforts,” the AFP said.,
“The AFP and New Zealand defense forces have a history of cooperation through multilateral frameworks, with shared goals of maintaining regional security and disaster response readiness,” it added.
Krushka’s visit came more than two months after Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr and New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins signed the SOVFA on April 30.
The Philippines has signed similar agreements with the United States (Visiting Forces Agreement in 1998), with Australia (SOVFA, 2007), and with Japan (Reciprocal Access Agreement, last year).
The Department of National Defense is eyeing to sign similar agreements with Canada and other countries.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) yesterday launched the second iteration of Cope Thunder exercise 2025 at Clark Air Base in Pampanga.
The PAF described Cope Thunder 25-2 as a “major bilateral exercise” which seeks to enhance joint interoperability and mutual defense readiness of the two sides.
PAF chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura and Lt. Col. Bryan Mussler, commander of the 421st Fighter Squadron of the PACAF, led the opening of the exercise, a follow-up to the Cope Thunder 25-1 which was held in April.
The exercise will be held in training locations in northern Luzon and will feature a number of aircraft, including the US F-35s and the PAF’s FA-35 fighter jets.
More than 2,500 personnel from both sides are involved in the exercise which will run until July 18.
In a statement yesterday, the PAF said the exercise underscores the “enduring alliance and strong defense cooperation between the Philippines and the United States.”
It said the training activities under the exercise are focused on “enhancing operational tactics, interoperability, and joint mission capabilities across multiple domains.”
