The Philippines renews impartiality pledge as head of the ASEAN Observer Team overseeing the Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire

Photo: - The ASEAN Observer Team in Kamrieng district, Battambang province on July 6. Ministry of Defence

Synopsis: ASEAN chair and Malaysia agree to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Cambodia, while underscoring the bloc’s role in maintaining regional peace, stability and security following the border conflict.

Manila has pledged to play a neutral role as head of the ASEAN Observer Team monitoring the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand. As the ASEAN chair, the Philippines is leader of the mission observing the implementation of the peace agreement between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.

Malaysia has also reaffirmed its support for the AOT while pledging to deepen cooperation with Cambodia and back the resolution of border disputes through dialogue, international law and ASEAN mechanisms.

The commitments came during separate diplomatic and military engagements in Phnom Penh this week, emphasising ASEAN’s role in safeguarding peace, stability and regional security following the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict.

During a farewell call on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Prak Sokhonn on July 8, outgoing Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Flerida Ann Camille Mayo said the Philippines, as head of the AOT, will continue to discharge its role as a neutral and impartial party in supporting the implementation of the ceasefire.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sokhonn briefed the ambassador on developments along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

The pledges came after Cambodia raised concerns over the conduct of AOT members assigned to Thailand, who had made an unauthorised visit, accompanied by Thai military personnel and journalists, to the Khnar Temple area on June 26.

In a letter to the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which chairs the AOT, Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) Commander-in-Chief General Vong Pisen said the visit had exceeded the observer team’s mandate and risked undermining the mission’s neutrality and credibility. Cambodia requested a review of the incident and urged the AOT to adhere to its role as a neutral ceasefire monitoring mechanism.

According to the ministry, Sokhonn congratulated Mayo on the completion of her diplomatic mission and commended her efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.

He said her role facilitated Prime Minister Hun Manet’s visit to the Philippines in February 2025, Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr’s visit to Cambodia in September 2025, and other exchanges between the two countries.

Sokhonn said Cambodia is ready to co-chair, together with his Philippine counterpart, the fifth Meeting of the Cambodia-Philippines Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation next year, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The two sides discussed expanding cooperation in defence and security, trade and investment, agriculture, tourism, education and people-to-people exchanges, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.

According to the ministry, Mayo said that despite economic and political uncertainties, Cambodia has continued to make progress in economic development, diplomacy, tourism, social development, digital transformation and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Malaysia reaffirmed its support for both the AOT and dialogue during the visit of General Mohammad Ab Rahman, Chief of Defence Forces of Malaysia, who met RCAF Commander-in-Chief General Vong Pisen yesterday.

According to the RCAF, the two military leaders agreed to deepen bilateral defence cooperation and contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in both countries and across the ASEAN region.

Gen Pisen said the visit was a milestone in strengthening the friendship between the armed forces of Cambodia and Malaysia, noting that 2026 marks the 69th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

He said he appreciated Malaysia’s contribution to peace in Cambodia under the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia in 1993, as well as its role in facilitating dialogue during the Cambodia-Thailand border tensions in 2025, including its initiative to establish the AOT.

The military chief said Cambodia remains committed to resolving border issues through dialogue in accordance with international law and agreements, adding that the Kingdom does not accept the use of force to alter recognised boundaries.

During the meeting, the Cambodian side proposed accelerating the signing of a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation, expanding collaboration among branches of the armed forces, increasing military training and joint exercises, enhancing information sharing, strengthening cooperation against transnational crime, and continuing support for the AOT.

Gen Mohammad said his visit was intended to strengthen the relationship between the two militaries.

He commended the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces for exercising restraint and refraining from the use of force despite the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

The Malaysian side affirmed its support for resolving the Cambodia-Thailand dispute through dialogue under the General Border Committee and the Joint Boundary Commission, while upholding ASEAN’s principle of neutrality.

Meanwhile, Cambodia welcomed the arrival of two Vietnamese officers at Techo International Airport to join the AOT, the Defence Ministry said yesterday.

Colonel Phung Thanh Quang and Colonel Ly Thanh Tam will join the mission to observe, verify and report on the border situation.

Ministry spokeswoman Lieutenant General Maly Socheata said Cambodia has provided support to the observer team, emphasising the importance of strengthening its role and mandate to ensure that the ceasefire and agreed measures between Cambodia and Thailand are implemented. By welcoming officers from friendly nations to support the monitoring mission, Cambodia aims to promote transparency, accountability and trust in the ceasefire process.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the Joint Statement of the Third Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee in December 2025 and the Joint Declaration on the Peace Agreement between Cambodia and Thailand in October 2025 to restore normalcy, peace and stability along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

-Khmer Times-