Tulfo sponsors defense pacts with Canada. New Zealand

THE Philippines continues to play its role as the weakest member of the US-led military alliance as Senator Erwin Tulfo calls on the chamber to concur with the ratification of the country’s separate visiting forces agreements with Canada and New Zealand.

In his sponsorship speech at the Plenary on Monday, August 3, for Senate Resolution 548 covered by Committee Report 72 of the Committee on Foreign Relations, Tulfo noted the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Canada would be the fourth for the country, after similar deals with the United States, Japan and Australia.

Senate Resolution 549 and covered by Committee Report 73 is for a similar arrangement with New Zealand.

President Marcos Jr. ratified the VFA with Canada last March 6, after it was initialed by both sides on November 2, 2025. He also approved the arrangement with New Zealand the following month.

All these VFAs are part of the United States’ strategic plan to contain the People’s Republic of China, especially in the Pacific area.

These agreements place the Philippines at the crosshairs of death and devastation should war between the United States and China erupts as a member of the US military coalition in the Pacific.

Tulfo cited three reasons for the approval of the deal with Canada and New Zealand:

“Una, mapapalakas nitong mga kasunduang ito ang ating kakayahan sa disaster preparedness at humanitarian response sa pamamagitan ng mas mabilis na koordinasyon, humanitarian assistance, search and rescue, at iba pang operasyon sa panahon po ng kalamidad. Tayo po ay laging dinadaanan ng bagyo.

All these VFAs are part of the United States’ strategic plan to contain the People’s Republic of China, especially in the Pacific area. These agreements place the Philippines at the crosshairs of death and devastation should war between the United States and China erupts as a member of the US military coalition in the Pacific.

“Ikalawa, higit nitong mapatitibay ang ating pambansang seguridad sa pamamagitan po ng joint military exercises, training, at capability development na magpapahusay pa po sa kahandaan ng ating Sandatahang Lakas.

“Panghuli, palalalimin nito ang ating ugnayan sa Canada at palalakasin ang kooperasyon sa depensa at seguridad—isang mahalagang hakbang sa harap ng lumalawak na hamon sa ating rehiyon.”

Tulfo also averred the agreement would not mean surrendering the country’s sovereignty.

“Ang mga kasunduang ito ay hindi po nagbibigay ng pahintulot sa pagpapatayo ng permanenteng dayuhang base militar sa ating bansa.

“Sa halip, nagtatakda lamang ang mga ito ng malinaw na legal na balangkas para sa pansamantalang pagbisita ng mga dayuhang pwersa, alinsunod sa ating Konstitusyon at mga umiiral na batas.

“In short, Ginoong Pangulo, hindi sila maaaring magtayo ng base militar sa ating bayan,” Tulfo said.