Phnom penh: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet witnessed the signing of three landmark agreements aimed at strengthening security, education, and connectivity between the Philippines and Cambodia. The agreements, signed during Marcos' three-day state visit, cover enhanced police cooperation against transnational crime, exchanges in higher education, and expanded air connectivity between the two countries.
According to Philippines News Agency, the first agreement is an amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippine National Police and the Cambodian National Police. This amendment now specifies deeper cooperation on human trafficking, arms trafficking, and cybercrime, with an automatic renewal clause. The second agreement is an MOU on higher education cooperation between the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Cambodia's Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport, providing for exchanges of officials and training programs, as well as joint initiatives in science, technology, and innovation.
The third agreement is a new Air Services Agreement that allows designated airlines of both countries to enter into code-sharing alliances, operate charter flights, and exercise fifth freedom rights. This enables carriers to transport passengers and cargo between the Philippines and Cambodia with a stop in a third country. 'These agreements underscore the broadening of our partnership-not only in fighting crime and enhancing security, but also in building bridges in education and providing greater mobility and opportunities for our peoples,' Marcos stated at a joint press conference with Hun at the Peace Palace.
The deals complement the leaders' pledge to intensify cooperation against human trafficking, cybercrime, illicit drugs, and other cross-border threats. They also agreed to pursue stronger linkages in trade, agriculture, renewable energy, digital economy, and people-to-people exchanges. Marcos' visit is the first state visit by a Philippine President to Cambodia in nearly nine years. It comes as Manila prepares to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026 and campaign for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council.
