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Marcos eyes 'more frequent' PH-Cambodia military training exchanges

Philippine News Agency

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
February 11, 2025, 1:12 pm

MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday expressed his intent for the Philippines to hold "more frequent" military training exchanges with Cambodia amid security challenges in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific Region.

During his bilateral meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet at Malacañan Palace in Manila, Marcos said he wants to maximize the two countries' existing cooperation in diverse fields of mutual interest and explore new ways to collaborate to attain "regional peace and stability."

Marcos told Hun Manet that he was "pleased" with the training course conducted by the Philippine Army and the Royal Cambodian Armed Force in Cambodia last year.

"I hope to see more similar and frequent engagement, especially as cooperation amongst our countries is needed in dealing with emerging security challenges," he said.

"We continue to coordinate and to synchronize our efforts with our neighbors around South China Sea and Indo-Pacific Region."

The President said he is also looking forward to hosting the 4th Philippine-Cambodia joint defense cooperation committee meeting in Manila this year.

He expressed optimism that the outcomes of the meeting would result in a strengthened coordination between the two nations' militaries "in new areas of cooperation, such as humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, combatting transnational crimes, cybersecurity, and information sharing amongst others."

Marcos acknowledged that the key areas of cooperation "have become frontline of any conflict."

"In two years' time, our countries will mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic ties. Over that period, our ties have deepened and widened, covering several sectors, such as trade, rural health development, investment protection, tourism, air connectivity, combatting transnational crimes, and defense, among others," he told Hun Manet.

"Rest assured we will continue to stand with you in the fight against transnational crimes and their adverse effects on our peoples and on our communities."

'Stronger, more dynamic' ties

Hun Manet expressed optimism that his first visit to the Philippines would pave the way for a "stronger and more dynamic" partnership between Cambodia and the Philippines.

He told Marcos that he also seeks to deepen the two nations' engagement and unlock new opportunities for shared growth and prosperity.

"Our collaborations extend beyond government-to-government ties. But it is rooted in a strong bond between our two peoples. I appreciate the Philippines' contributions to our peace process and human resource development in civilian and military fields," Hun Manet said.

"We also recognize the vital role of the Filipino community in our socioeconomic progress. Mr. President, our cooperation spans across multiple sectors, from defense and security to trade, investment economy and people-to-people exchanges. We are keen on taking our collaborations to new heights." (PNA)