Marcos says Philippines is open to a Visiting Forces Agreement with Germany

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says the Philippines is open to entering a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Germany. In comments on Tuesday, June 16, Marcos said Manila is willing to expand defense cooperation beyond the country’s traditional treaty allies through such an arrangement. The VFA would govern the terms under which visiting German forces could operate in the Philippines, consistent with the purpose of similar agreements. The statements indicate the Philippine government is considering a new framework for cooperation with Germany, though neither the timing nor the specific terms of a potential VFA are detailed in the reports. The remarks are presented as signaling Manila’s intent to broaden its defense partnerships. The discussion is confined to Marcos’s position that the Philippines is open to pursuing a VFA, with no additional information provided on negotiations, scope, or required approvals.