PH, Cambodia fortify defense ties
Published May 3, 2023 09:04 am
The Philippines and Cambodia have strengthened its defense partnership through the recent conduct of the 3rd Philippines-Cambodia Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting, the Department of National Defense (DND) disclosed Wednesday, May 3.
(Acting DND Undersecretary Angelito M. De Leon [left] and General Neang Phat, Cambodia's Minister Delegate Attached to the Prime Minister and Permanent Secretary of Ministry of National Defence, co-chair the 3rd Philippines-Cambodia Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on April 27, 2023. Photo courtesy of Ministry of National Defense of Cambodia via DND)
The meeting was co-chaired by acting DND Undersecretary Angelito M. De Leon and General Neang Phat, Cambodia's Minister Delegate Attached to the Prime Minister and Permanent Secretary of Ministry of National Defence, in Phnom Penh on April 27.
“During the meeting, the co-chairs signed the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the JDCC, which details the functions, procedures, and other administrative arrangements for the JDCC meeting,” Andolong said.
De Leon and Phat have reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation that was signed by the two countries in 2017. They also highlighted the importance of convening the IDCC as a “high-level dialogue mechanism to strengthen defense and military partnership” between Manila and Phnom Penh.
(Delegates from the defense departments of the Philippines and Cambodia engage during the 3rd Philippines-Cambodia Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on April 27, 2023. Photo courtesy of Ministry of National Defense of Cambodia via DND)
“Both sides also exchanged views on regional security challenges, as well as discussed updates on the restoration of military cooperation, which was previously affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; multilateral cooperation, especially under the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)/ADMM-Plus; and bilateral cooperative activities, such as high-level visits, capacity building assistance, and educational exchanges,” Andolong said.
The 4th JDCC meeting next year will take place in the Philippines and De Leon invited Phat and the Cambodian delegation to Manila.
After the meeting, De Leon and the Philippine delegation rendered a courtesy call on Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Cambodia.
(Acting DND Undersecretary Angelito M. De Leon [left] and General Neang Phat, Cambodia's Minister Delegate Attached to the Prime Minister and Permanent Secretary of Ministry of National Defence, co-chair the 3rd Philippines-Cambodia Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on April 27, 2023. Photo courtesy of Ministry of National Defense of Cambodia via DND)
The meeting was co-chaired by acting DND Undersecretary Angelito M. De Leon and General Neang Phat, Cambodia's Minister Delegate Attached to the Prime Minister and Permanent Secretary of Ministry of National Defence, in Phnom Penh on April 27.
“During the meeting, the co-chairs signed the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the JDCC, which details the functions, procedures, and other administrative arrangements for the JDCC meeting,” Andolong said.
De Leon and Phat have reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation that was signed by the two countries in 2017. They also highlighted the importance of convening the IDCC as a “high-level dialogue mechanism to strengthen defense and military partnership” between Manila and Phnom Penh.
(Delegates from the defense departments of the Philippines and Cambodia engage during the 3rd Philippines-Cambodia Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on April 27, 2023. Photo courtesy of Ministry of National Defense of Cambodia via DND)
“Both sides also exchanged views on regional security challenges, as well as discussed updates on the restoration of military cooperation, which was previously affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; multilateral cooperation, especially under the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)/ADMM-Plus; and bilateral cooperative activities, such as high-level visits, capacity building assistance, and educational exchanges,” Andolong said.
The 4th JDCC meeting next year will take place in the Philippines and De Leon invited Phat and the Cambodian delegation to Manila.
After the meeting, De Leon and the Philippine delegation rendered a courtesy call on Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Cambodia.