President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said his three-day state visit to Cambodia yielded new agreements on trade, education, aviation, and security cooperation, underscoring efforts to deepen ties between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.
In his arrival statement after returning to Manila, Mr. Marcos said that he met with Acting Head of State and Senate President Hun Sen, as well as Prime Minister Hun Manet, to discuss advancing bilateral and multilateral relations.
“Our collective interest to bolster intra-ASEAN trade through enhancing market access,” Mr. Marcos said. “Our discussions focused on our complementary strengths and how both sides can offer each other unique opportunities for growth and for market diversification,” he added.
The president said five business agreements were signed during his trip, covering aviation, logistics, women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), opportunities for Philippine exports, and institutional partnerships between business associations.
He added that the Philippines and Cambodia updated their Air Services Agreement to support growing travel demand in the region and concluded a cooperation pact on higher education that will enable more exchanges between universities.
President Marcos also noted the importance of strengthening security cooperation, particularly in combating transnational crimes, illegal recruitment, and human trafficking.
The two countries agreed to update existing accords on law enforcement and migrant workers’ welfare.
The president expressed gratitude for Cambodia’s support of the Philippines’ bid for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council and for Manila’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2026.
Mr. Marcos also met with the Filipino community in Phnom Penh, where he shared updates on his administration’s programs and assured them of the government’s commitment to improving the quality of life for Filipinos abroad and at home.
“I am confident that through regular dialogues, the Philippines-Cambodia partnership will be guided by our common aspiration for progress, peace, and stability,” he said.
