THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) discussed closer defense cooperation against emerging regional threats.
AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Rommel Roldan represented the Philippines while Lt. Gen. Hun Manith of the General Department of Research and Intelligence represented Cambodia in a meeting on Oct. 26.
The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral defense relations between the two Southeast Asian countries through information sharing, sustained dialogue and closer coordination.
On Oct. 20, AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh to discuss air and maritime security cooperation.
Hun Manet expressed optimism that the countries could move forward with an agreement, according to an Oct. 22 report by Cambodia.
Nafarrete also met with RCAF Commander-in-Chief Gen. Vong Pisen to talk about expanding cooperation in defense, information exchange, counterterrorism, transnational crime prevention, cybersecurity, and humanitarian assistance.
Cambodia welcomed the Philippines' leadership of the Asean Observer Team, which monitors developments along the Cambodia-Thailand border as part of regional efforts to support a peaceful resolution of border disputes.
The Philippines and Cambodia signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation in December 2017, providing a framework for exchanges of military personnel, training, information and expertise, as well as other mutually agreed activities.
The two countries subsequently held their inaugural Joint Defense Cooperation Committee meeting in Phnom Penh in March 2019 to discuss regional security concerns, including cybersecurity, counterterrorism, violent extremism and peacekeeping operations.
During a September 2025 meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Hun Manet in Manila, an amended agreement on police cooperation covering human trafficking, arms trafficking, and cybercrime was signed.
