The Department of National Defense (DND) welcomed the Senate’s ratification of the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) between the Philippines and France on Thursday, October 8, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening defense cooperation and regional security.
In a statement, the DND expressed gratitude to senators for unanimously supporting the agreement, which marks the Philippines’ first visiting forces arrangement with a European country.
The department said the pact reflects the country’s commitment to building credible deterrence through stronger international partnerships and collective efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The unanimous affirmation of this vision by our esteemed Senators underscores the significance of this undertaking, which marks the first with a European nation,” the DND said.
The defense department highlighted France’s longstanding support for international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral ruling that upheld the Philippines’ maritime rights in the South China Sea.
It also recognized France’s advanced defense technologies and capabilities, which could contribute to the Philippines’ military modernization and efforts to strengthen defense supply chain resilience.
The DND expressed optimism that the agreement would pave the way for closer military cooperation, joint activities and enhanced security coordination between the two countries.
“We look forward to the entry into force of the SOVFA with France and to further strengthening our defense partnership for the benefit of our peoples and the Indo-Pacific region,” the department said.
Meanwhile, independent think tank Stratbase Institute urged the government to maximize the agreement as an opportunity to diversify the country’s defense partnerships beyond its traditional security allies.
Stratbase Institute president Victor Andres Manhit said the pact could strengthen the Philippines’ strategic ties with European partners while supporting a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific.
“The Stratbase Institute looks forward to the effective implementation of the agreement and for the Philippines to be able to leverage this EU connection to diversify its defense partnerships to secure a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific,” Manhit said.
He explained that the agreement would enable the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and French Armed Forces to expand joint military exercises, personnel exchanges and operational cooperation.
These activities could improve coordination in maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations.
Manhit added that closer military engagement with France would provide Filipino troops greater exposure to NATO-standard defense systems, potentially improving interoperability with international partners during joint missions.
The Philippines-France SOVFA is the country’s sixth visiting forces agreement, following similar arrangements with the United States, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Canada.
The agreement is expected to expand the Philippines’ network of defense partnerships as the government continues efforts to modernize its armed forces and strengthen maritime security.
