Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expressed a strong desire to initiate “more frequent” military training exchanges between the Philippines and Cambodia, amidst ongoing security challenges in the South China Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific Region. This announcement came during a bilateral meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet at Malaca±an Palace.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos emphasized the importance of maximizing the existing cooperation between the two nations in various fields of mutual interest. He highlighted the need to explore new collaborative opportunities to achieve “regional peace and stability.” Reflecting on the training course conducted by the Philippine Army and the Royal Cambodian Armed Force in Cambodia last year, Marcos expressed his satisfaction and eagerness for similar future engagements.
The President assured coordinated efforts with neighboring countries around the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific Region. He also announced plans to host the 4th Philippine-Cambodia joint defense cooperation committee meeting in Manila this year. Marcos expressed optimism that the meeting would lead to strengthened military coordination between the two countries in new areas such as humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, combating transnational crimes, cybersecurity, and information sharing.
Marcos noted that these key areas of cooperation have become crucial in any conflict. He also acknowledged the approaching 70th anniversary of formal diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Cambodia, highlighting the deepening and widening of their partnership over the years across several sectors, including trade, rural health development, investment protection, tourism, air connectivity, and defense.
Hun Manet, on his first visit to the Philippines, shared his optimism for a “stronger and more dynamic” partnership. He expressed a desire to deepen engagements and unlock new opportunities for shared growth and prosperity. Hun Manet recognized the contributions of the Philippines to Cambodia’s peace process and human resource development and acknowledged the vital role of the Filipino community in Cambodia’s socioeconomic progress.