PH, Cambodia ink deals on police cooperation, higher education, air connectivity

The Philippines and Cambodia signed three key agreements covering police cooperation, higher education, and air connectivity amid the state visit of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. in Phnom Penh.

Marcos and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet witnessed the signing of deals on Monday. The agreements are as follows: 

1. Amendment of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippine National Police of the Republic of the Philippines and the Cambodian National Police of the Kingdom of Cambodia on Cooperation in Combating Transnational Crime

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that the amendment specifies additional areas of cooperation between the existing MOU, such as human trafficking, arms trafficking, and cybercrime. The amendment also includes an automatic renewal clause of the agreement.

2. MOU between the Commission on Higher Education of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport of the Kingdom of Cambodia on Cooperation in Higher Education

The MOU provides for exchanges of officials between higher education institutions of both countries, exchanges of training programs, and facilitating cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, among others, the PCO said. 

3. Air Services Agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Cambodia 

The Air Services Agreement allows designated airlines of the two countries to enter into code-sharing alliances, operate charter flights, as well as exercise fifth freedom rights, that is, to carry passengers and cargo between the two countries with an intermediate stop in a third destination.

In the joint press statement, Marcos said the growth and resilience of the two countries' economies depend on opening new avenues of cooperation as well as expanding opportunities in trade, agriculture, renewable energy, and the digital economy. 

''By broadening these linkages, we give our peoples more opportunities. We also ensure that our region is less vulnerable to the effects of external uncertainties,'' Marcos said.

The Philippines, according to Marcos, also acknowledged the pressing challenges that clap across borders such as human trafficking, cybercrime, illicit drugs, and other transnational threats. 

''These dangers affect the safety of our citizens and the stability of our societies. It is in this spirit that we agree to strengthen collaboration among our law enforcement and security institutions so that our collective response will be swift, coordinated, and effective,'' Marcos said. 

ASEAN, UN

Meanwhile, Marcos also expressed appreciation for Cambodia's steadfast support for the Philippines' chairmanship of ASEAN in 2026 as well as its bid for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council.

''Our discussions today signal a new phase in the partnership between the Philippines and Cambodia, one that embraces greater economic opportunities, deeper cooperation on matters of security, and the common resolve to uphold peace and stability in our region,'' Marcos said.

The President will be in Cambodia until Tuesday, September 9. —KG, GMA Integrated News