Malacañang on Monday highlighted the importance of the newly signed agreement between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Cambodian government, which enhances cooperation between Philippines’ and Cambodia’s national police forces in combating transnational crimes.
During a press conference in Phnom Penh on the sidelines of the State Visit, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the agreement will pave the way for more coordinated efforts to combat crimes like human trafficking, cybercrime and illegal drug trade, which have a significant impact on both the Philippines and Cambodia.
“Napakahalaga po nito dahil sabi nga po natin marami pong nagaganap na mga human trafficking at kung ano pa pong transnational crimes,” Castro said.
“At sa ganito pong klaseng agreement na nilagdaan ng Pilipinas at Cambodia maipapakita po nila kung paano ba i-combat ang transnational crimes sa pamamagitan nang mabilis na pagresponde at kooperasyon ng bawat bansa,” she added.
The Amendment of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Cambodian National Police was one of the agreements signed between President Marcos and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet following their bilateral meeting in Phnom Penh.
President Marcos is in Cambodia for a three-day State Visit from September 7 to 9.
Castro noted that the agreement will enable both countries to improve intelligence-sharing and the ability to act quickly against criminal networks operating across borders.
“At sinabi nga po ng ating Pangulo maaasahan po natin ang exchange of data or information para sa mas agaran na pag-aksyon ng dalawang bansa patungkol sa pag-combat ng transnational crimes,” she added.
In an interview on Sunday, Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Flerida Ann Camille Mayo reported a significant rise in the number of Filipinos in Cambodia seeking government assistance after being trapped in scam hubs.
From 80 cases in 2024, the number of Filipinos needing rescue increased to 180 from January to August 2025, according to Mayo, noting that many of them were either former employees of Philippine offshore gaming operators or had been lured by the supposed high salaries offered by scam hubs.
Mayo said all of the trapped individuals have already been rescued and repatriated. (PND)
