Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781592747958national-institute-of-allergy-and-infectious-diseases-Z2pq_4mj6BI-unsplash (8).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and His Excellency Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal President of the Federal Republic of Germany, held a bilateral meeting on June 16, 2026 and reaffirmed the enduring friendship and shared values underpinning Philippines-Germany relations. <em>PCO/Facebook</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his openness to forge a &quot;VFA-like&quot; partnership with Germany, as the two countries continue to increase engagements on defense and security.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/25/philippines-france-very-close-to-sealing-vfa-afp-chief-1513">Philippines, France &#x27;very close&#x27; to sealing Visiting Forces Agreement–AFP chief</a></div><p>Boosting defense ties was one of the agenda in the state visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in the Philippines on Tuesday.</p><p>&quot;Well, why not? We probably, in reality, we&#x27;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,&quot; Marcos said when asked if there is a possibility to have such an agreement.</p><p>&quot;And 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,&quot; he added.</p><p>Germany has participated in the Balikatan exercises for three years now, starting in 2024.</p><p>The German leader also committed to helping the Philippine Coast Guard in monitoring the situation in the West Philippine Sea through drones, and expressed hopes for the finalization of a binding Code of Conduct.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/9/marcos-still-aspiring-for-south-china-sea-code-of-conduct-before-year-ends-1308">Marcos still &#x27;aspiring&#x27; for South China Sea Code of Conduct before year ends</a></div><p>&quot;With the volatility that is happening in the geopolitical world right now, the best path to stability is to have partnerships, is to have a wide base of alliances,&quot; Marcos said.</p><p>&quot;So yes, if the VFA, if we came to an agreement and we feel that it is time to have it, the Philippines would certainly entertain that possibility very warmly,&quot; he added.</p><p>&quot;Not any one country can now influence or change or direct the way the world is working. And so we have to achieve two almost contrary aspirations: one, is to be stable and strong; and two, to be agile at the same time.&quot;</p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6_PFUhonZJI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M0Kj7GgLhqs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RTUWK2liEDU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Boosting defense ties was one of the agenda in the state visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in the Philippines on Tuesday.</p>

Boosting defense ties was one of the agenda in the state visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in the Philippines on Tuesday.

Marcos open to forging 'VFA-like' pact with Germany

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Marcos open to forging 'VFA-like' pact with Germany

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 16, 2026 03:03 PM PHT

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Updated June 16, 2026 03:08 PM PHT

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