The Philippines will send military observers to help prevent the escalation of tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said on Tuesday.
In an ambush interview at a Stratbase forum, Brawner confirmed that two generals will be sent as part of the country’s role in leading the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“Two generals… I cleared this with the President and we are very serious in that role that we are playing as lead of the ASEAN observer team because we want to establish our leadership role as ASEAN chair,” he said.
“One way to do this is by making sure that the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia will not escalate. That is our role,” he added.
Brawner did not provide specific details on the deployment timeline. In December last year, Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro said the Philippines, as ASEAN chair, is ready to assume the role of mediator between Thailand and Cambodia, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
