Author: Matteo Piasentini

Published: 19 May 2026

The signing of a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement between France and the Philippines is a milestone in Manila’s efforts to diversify its security. It comes at a time when the Marcos Jr administration is flirting with the idea of resetting its ties with Beijing.

On 26 March 2026, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and his French counterpart signed a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA). Celebrated as the first such agreement between the Philippines and a European country, the SOVFA marks the culmination of a multi-year process of alignment between Paris and Manila and represents a crucial step in the Philippines’ efforts to diversify its security partnerships with like-minded states.

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