PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday said the Philippines would increase, if not sustain, its peace, security and defense arrangements with other nations especially with those in the Indo-Pacific region and around the South China Sea.
The President made the statements during a meeting with visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet in Malacañang.
Marcos said defense and security arrangements between Cambodia and the Philippines, which include holding of joint training exercises, are important in addressing peace and security issues like transnational crimes and other concerns such as climate change and easing the impact of natural calamities.
“We will continue to coordinate and to synchronize our efforts with our neighbors around the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region. And I believe that it is a very important aspect of our security arrangements that we have those exercises together, that we have these exchanges between our militaries and all our uniformed forces,” Marcos said.
Hun Manet expressed optimism his first visit to the Philippines would pave the way for “stronger and more dynamic” ties between the two nations, as well as open 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,” he said.
He also recognized the vital role of the Filipino community in his country’s socioeconomic progress, and is keen on “taking our collaborations to new heights.”
Cambodia is home to nearly 7,500 Filipinos.
The Philippines and Cambodia established diplomatic relations on Aug. 20, 1957. They have collaborations in key areas such as trade, tourism, defense, and the fight against transnational crime, all within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Marcos welcomed engagements between the Philippines’ and Cambodia’s top military leaders.
“I hope to see more, similar, and frequent engagements, especially as cooperation amongst our countries is needed in dealing with emerging security challenges. I hope that more frequent training exchanges between our armed forces will take place, similar to the training course conducted last year by the Philippine Army for the Royal Army of Cambodia,” he said.
The President said he is also looking forward to the country’s hosting of the fourth Philippine-Cambodia Joint Defense Cooperation Committee Meeting in Manila later this year. He expressed hope it would lead to strengthened coordination between the two nation’s armed forces, especially in new areas of cooperation such as humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, combating transnational crimes, cybersecurity, and information sharing.
Marcos said that in their 68 years of diplomatic relations, the Philippines and Cambodia have deepened and widened ties in trade, rural health development, investment protection, tourism, air connectivity, combating transnational crimes, and defense, among others.
“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.” he added.
PARDON
Marcos thanked Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni for granting royal pardon to 13 Filipino surrogates.
“We will never forget this act of magnanimity from His Majesty, a testament to the strong relations between our two countries. 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,” he said.
The King, in December, granted pardon to the 13 Filipinas who were convicted for illegal surrogacy.
The Department of Foreign Affairs initially reported 20 Filipinos were brought to Cambodia by a recruitment agency to become surrogate mothers. Only 13 of the 20 got pregnant. All of them have been repatriated.
