Marcos leaves for Cambodia for state visit

President Ferdinand Marcos left the country on Sunday for his state visit to Cambodia, where he is expected to sign several agreements.

The President departed Villamor Airbase in Pasay City at 1:44 p.m.

Marcos said his state visit to Cambodia aims to strengthen the ties of the two countries amid regional economic and security concerns, according to Mao dela Cruz’s Super Radyo dzBB report.

The President is also expected to have a bilateral meeting with Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, to discuss expanding cooperation in defense, security, trade, agriculture, and cultural heritage.

“During my visit, I will discuss ways to further diversify our cooperation and strengthen our intra-ASEAN relationships and exchanges by capitalizing on our complementary strengths in the face of global economic headwinds,” Marcos said during his speech at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

“To this end, we will discuss expanding our commercial relations and building more resilient value chains,” he added.

The President further said, “Through intensified defense and security cooperation with Cambodia, we hope to uphold a peaceful, stable, and resilient ASEAN community.”

Aside from attending a bilateral meeting, Marcos is also scheduled to meet over 70,000 overseas Filipino workers in Cambodia.

The President also pointed out the cooperation between the two countries, where the Philippine government gives scholarships to Cambodian students in higher education institutions, particularly in science and technology.

“As the Philippines prepares to take the helm of ASEAN in 2026, my visit will reinforce the importance of ASEAN Centrality and our commitment to build a progressive and inclusive region,” Marcos said.

“I look forward to all of these very productive meetings that we have scheduled, and I am sure that we will find many, many ways that we can develop to be beneficial to both our countries, Cambodia and the Philippines,” he added.

First Lady Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos will also accompany the President during his state visit from September 7 to 9.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and two other Cabinet officials were named caretakers of the Philippine government while Marcos is in Cambodia. —KG, GMA Integrated News