Marcos arrives in Cambodia for state visit

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. arrived in Cambodia for his three-day state visit on Sunday afternoon, marking his second visit in the country since assuming the presidency.

Marcos, along with First Lady Louise "Liza” Araneta - Marcos, arrived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Sunday afternoon, after departing Villamor Airbase in Pasay City at 1:44 p.m. They were greeted by Cambodian officials.

In his departure speech, Marcos said he will capitalize on complementary strengths in the face of global economic headwinds to strengthen the intra-ASEAN relationships and exchanges.

They will be in Cambodia until Tuesday, September 9, upon the invitation of the King of Cambodia, His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni.

Marcos is expected to have a bilateral meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet to discuss expanding cooperation between the two countries in combating transnational crimes and enhancing connectivity, along with matters on agriculture, higher education, tourism, and cultural cooperation.

He is likewise scheduled to keynote a roundtable meeting with key business leaders from both countries to explore the possibilities of diversifying sources of goods, and expanding market access between the two nations.

Marcos’s first trip to Cambodia as president was during the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in November 2022.

There are more than 7,000 Filipinos living and working in Cambodia, most of whom are in the skilled labor sector. Official diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in August 1957.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III have been named as the Philippines’ caretakers while Marcos is in Cambodia. — RF, GMA Integrated News