The Philippines is reviewing its security agreements with countries who do not support its claims within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and its occupied features in the West Philippine Sea, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said following the signing of a military pact with New Zealand on Wednesday.

The ongoing review of the agreements was announced by Teodoro during a press conference after his bilateral meeting with New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins in Makati.

"We are also in the process of reviewing the agreements with countries that do not support our claims and do not have benefit to our defense and foreign policy positions," he said.

"We have a host of existing defense agreements. Some are dormant. Some are with countries whose interests may not necessarily align with ours. So, we will review how to move forward with these agreements," he added.

Teodoro did not name any country but he admitted that China could be one of them if the Philippine had an existing security deal with it.

"It could be. It makes sense also but right now with China, definitely we cannot engage them in a defense to defense manner when our interests clearly are in conflict," he said.

Teodoro said the countries "alliance building measures are clearly defined now by countries with similar interests, particularly those that support our interests in the West Philippine Sea."

Following the signing of the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) between Philippines and New Zealand by Teodoro and Collins in Malacanang on Wednesday, Teodoro said the Philippines is also eyeing deals with Canada, France and Germany.

"The signing of the VFA with Canada is tentatively scheduled soon, very soon. I think there is a notion of date and I will wait for the proper announcements to be made officially. Now with France, we have already received the authority to negotiate a VFA with France and we will get to work as soon as possible," he said.

"Likewise, we will be signing a memorandum of understanding with Germany on the 14th of May when I go there for a peacekeeping conference," he added. Robina Asido/DMS