Senate to vote on defense pacts

MANILA, Philippines —  The Senate will cast its final vote next week to ratify defense pacts setting ground rules for Canadian and New Zealand troops to conduct joint military training in the Philippines.

At yesterday’s session, the Senate approved on second reading – with no interpel- lations and amendments – twin resolutions sponsored by Sen. Erwin Tulfo for the chamber’s concurrence on the Status of Visiting Forces Agreements with Canada and New Zealand.

The treaties provide the legal framework for foreign soldiers temporarily entering the country for military exercises or humanitarian missions.

The smooth plenary ap- proval follows earlier com mittee hearings, wherein Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. assured lawmakers that environmental safeguards and indigenous peoples’ rights are heavily embedded in the pacts.