Marcos says PH open to Visiting Forces Agreement with Germany

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said the Philippines is willing to enter into a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Germany.

In a joint press conference with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Malacañang Palace, Marcos said that with the current geopolitical volatility, the "best path" to stability for the Philippines is to create partnerships and have a wide base of alliances with other countries.

"Well, why not? We probably, in reality, we're still a long way off of that. But we are actually increasing our engagements, especially in the military and in the defense and the security areas," Marcos said.

"Perhaps when the time comes, certainly that would be something that the Philippines will be very, very open to. I cannot see any disadvantage to that," he added.

Marcos said once both countries feel the right time to negotiate a VFA, "the Philippines would certainly entertain that possibility very warmly."

He also pointed out that countries like the Philippines have to achieve two almost contrary aspirations: to be stable and strong, and to be agile at the same time.

"It's not an easy trick but it's something that we have to achieve. But multilateralism is a very, very important part of that. The world is so deeply interconnected as we have always seen," he said.

Steinmeier is currently in the Philippines for a state visit. He arrived in Manila on Monday night, along with his wife, German First Lady Elke Budenbender.

His visit is expected to highlight strengthened cooperation between the Philippines and Germany across key areas, such as defense, peacebuilding, maritime cooperation, trade and investment, climate change, renewable energy, and people-to-people exchanges.

The Philippines has expanded its defense partnerships through Status of Visiting Forces Agreements (SOVFAs) and similar arrangements with other countries.

Countries with such partnerships with the Philippines include the United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, and France.

These agreements provide the legal framework governing foreign troops temporarily conducting activities in Philippine territory, covering jurisdiction, entry and exit procedures, logistics support, and military cooperation.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution prohibits foreign troops from establishing permanent military bases in the country or conducting military activities without a treaty duly concurred in by the Philippine Senate.

Through these agreements, foreign militaries may enter the Philippines for joint activities and exercises.

Manila's SOVFA with New Zealand is currently awaiting ratification by Philippine Congress. — VDV, GMA News