PH, Cambodia ink bilateral deals on crime, education, air services
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA—The Philippines and Cambodia on Monday signed bilateral agreements covering transnational crime, higher education, and air services.
The agreements, announced by President Marcos and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in a joint press conference at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, include the exchange of notes on cooperation between the Philippine National Police and the Cambodian National Police to combat transnational crime; a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines and the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport of Cambodia on cooperation in higher education; and an air services deal between the two countries.
Transnational threats
In his statement, Mr. Marcos said both countries agreed to strengthen collaboration between their law enforcement and security institutions due to “the pressing challenges across borders: human trafficking, cybercrime, illicit drugs, and other transnational threats.”
Cambodia emerged during the pandemic as a hub for the global scam industry as mostly Chinese-led criminal groups repurposed unused casinos and hotels into scam centers that housed as many as 100,000 people, according to the United Nations.
Dozens of Filipinos have been rescued from different scam hubs in Cambodia, with the latest repatriated Filipinos returning to the country on Aug. 23.
The MOU on higher education, on the other hand, will provide opportunities for exchanges of officials of higher education institutions from both countries, as well as joint training programs and cooperation in the areas of science, technology, and innovation, among others.
The air services agreement, meanwhile, will allow designated airlines of the Philippines and Cambodia to enter into code-sharing alliances and operate charter flights.
Official state visit
Aside from the signed agreements, President Marcos underscored the two countries’ commitment to strengthening opportunities in key sectors.
“We recognize that the growth and resilience of our economies depends on opening new avenues of cooperation, expanding opportunities in trade, agriculture, renewable energy, and the digital economy,” he said.
According to Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Angelica Escalona, the country hopes to export more Filipino products to Cambodia, including food, beverage and pharmaceutical products, as well as expand franchises of Filipino companies.
The Philippines also received Cambodia’s support for its coming chairmanship of the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as Manila’s bid for a nonpermanent seat at the United Nations Security Council.
Mr. Marcos is on a three-day official state visit to Cambodia upon the invitation of the prime minister.
On Sunday, Mr. Marcos met with members of the Filipino community, where he vowed stronger protection for the welfare of Filipinos in the fellow Southeast Asian country.
He is also scheduled to hold a roundtable with key business leaders from both countries.
