National
Cambodia, Philippines to Deepen Army-to-Army Cooperation
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 20, 2026: Prime Minister Hun Manet received General Antonio G. Natarrete, Chief of Staff of the Philippine Army, and a delegation for a courtesy call and working discussion at the Peace Palace on Tuesday morning, with both sides agreeing to deepen military-to-military cooperation.
During the meeting, the Philippine Chief of Staff thanked the Prime Minister for taking time from his busy schedule to receive the delegation. He recalled the good and long-standing relations and cooperation between the two countries, particularly in defence and security.
Expressing satisfaction with progress in cooperation between the two countries' armies, General Natarrete underlined the Philippines' commitment to further strengthening and expanding military cooperation, especially between the naval and air forces.
In response, Prime Minister Hun Manet extended a warm welcome to the Chief of Staff and delegation on their visit to Cambodia and congratulated him on his recent appointment as Chief of Staff of the Philippine Army.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction and high regard for progress in relations and defence cooperation between the two countries, particularly cooperation in sharing and exchanging experience through training and capacity building between the two armies.
He expressed strong hope that cooperation between the two armies will be further strengthened and expanded, and that agreements on naval and air force cooperation will be signed in the near future and translated into concrete action and results.
The Prime Minister also highly valued the role of the ASEAN Observer Team and expressed confidence that, under the Philippines' leadership, the AOT will continue contributing actively to the peaceful resolution of the Cambodia-Thailand border issue.
He briefed the Chief of Staff and delegation on recent developments along the Cambodia-Thailand border and reaffirmed Cambodia's position of resolving border issues peacefully, based on existing bilateral agreements, conventions and treaties, as well as international law. Cambodia remains firmly committed to honouring the agreements both countries have reached.
Before concluding, the Prime Minister and the Philippine Chief of Staff discussed and exchanged views on further strengthening close military-to-military cooperation to jointly combat cross-border crime, including technology-based fraud, terrorism and cyberattacks, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.
Source: Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia
Reported by The Khmer Today
