Jonny Barker, Staff Writer
H.E. Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo, the Philippine Ambassador with Cambodian Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen
During a significant meeting with Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo, the Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia, Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen restated Cambodia’s pledge to the well-being of the Filipino community in Cambodia. This dedication was a topic of conversation during a courtesy visit made by Ambassador Mayo to Samdech Techo at the Senate.
The conversation highlighted a shared interest in strengthening Cambodia-Philippines relations, with a specific emphasis on collaboration within the ASEAN framework to support peacekeeping efforts and tackle regional challenges. Samdech Techo expressed his backing for collaborative endeavors to address issues like cybercrime, online fraud, and human trafficking, recognizing these as common concerns that impact the reputations of both nations and present significant challenges within the ASEAN community.
Ambassador Mayo conveyed greetings from the Philippine Senate and commended the deepening bond between the two countries, as demonstrated by key diplomatic engagements in recent years, including meetings involving Samdech Techo, President Marcos, and Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet. She highlighted the ongoing cooperation across various domains such as trade, investment, education, and military relations, underscoring the presence and potential growth of Filipino enterprises in Cambodia.
Moreover, the ambassador suggested the establishment of a Joint High Commission to address issues like cybercrime, online fraud, and human trafficking, expressing gratitude to Cambodia for its protective stance towards Filipinos residing in the kingdom. She called for continued assistance for the Filipino community, acknowledging their significant contributions in diverse sectors in Cambodia.
Samdech Techo reflected on the enduring friendship and collaboration between Cambodia and the Philippines, built on mutual trust and historical diplomatic connections. He indicated that these ties are poised for further development under Samdech Thipadei’s leadership. He also emphasized the consistent nature of Cambodia’s foreign policy towards the Philippines, despite changes in government.
The meeting also explored economic opportunities under the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), with Samdech Techo encouraging the Philippines to consider investment prospects in Cambodia, particularly in the agricultural sector.
In the context of regional and international affairs, both parties discussed the South China Sea dispute and the situation in Myanmar, advocating for dialogue, adherence to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and the prompt negotiation of the Code of Conduct (COC) to ensure regional stability and trust.
Ambassador Mayo, drawing on her extensive experience of over 42 years in the Philippines’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commended Samdech Techo’s dedication to ASEAN and Cambodia’s progress. The meeting concluded with well-wishes from Samdech Techo to the ambassador and her delegation, underscoring the ongoing friendship and cooperation between Cambodia and the Philippines.
