PH, New Zealand eye joint military training

The Philippines and New Zealand are seeking to establish joint military training under the framework of their defense cooperation agreement which could ultimately lead to the expansion of the "Squad," a minilateral grouping seeking to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

- By MARTIN SADONGDONG

The Department of National Defense (DND) revealed that Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Major General Robert Krushka, commander of the Joint Forces of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), met at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on July 7 to discuss regional security dynamics and explore opportunities to strengthen the two nations' defense cooperation.

"In addition to enhancing collaboration on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), Secretary Teodoro noted the potential involvement of the NZDF in activities under the quadrilateral cooperation among the Philippines, United States, Australia, and Japan once the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) enters into force," the DND said in a statement on Wednesday, July 9.