Marcos leaves for Cambodia today; to tackle OFW concerns, ASEAN trade
At A Glance
- DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona said the President will take up the concerns of 7,500 Filipinos in Cambodia, most of whom are in the education and service sectors.
President Marcos is set to leave for a three-day State Visit to Cambodia on Sunday, Sept. 7, where he is expected to raise the plight of Filipinos affected by scam hubs, undocumented work, and other cross-border crimes alongside efforts to strengthen trade and ASEAN cooperation.
File/Canva photos
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Sept. 7-9 trip is the first Philippine State Visit to Cambodia in nearly nine years, reciprocating Prime Minister Hun Manet’s visit to Manila earlier this year.
DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona said the President will take up the concerns of 7,500 Filipinos in Cambodia, most of whom are in the education and service sectors.
“Yes. Because these are important to the Philippines, we expect those issues to be discussed during the President’s bilateral meetings,” Escalona told Malacañang reporters.
Earlier this year, several Filipinas detained for surrogacy were pardoned, but Escalona said human trafficking tied to scam operations remains a problem across mainland Southeast Asia.
The visit is likewise expected to produce three agreements on combating transnational crimes, cooperation in higher education, and improved air services between Manila and Phnom Penh.
Escalona said the trip is anchored on three objectives: expanding trade, strengthening law enforcement ties, and seeking Cambodia’s support for the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship in 2026.
President Marcos will also meet Filipino and Cambodian business leaders in a roundtable aimed at boosting trade and investment.
The Philippines is eyeing expanded exports of food, beverages, and pharmaceutical products, the entry of more Filipino franchises into Cambodia, and increased two-way tourism.
“In general, we just want to see more Filipino products in our fellow ASEAN countries,” Escalona said.
The President and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos will first meet the Filipino community before holding talks with Senate President Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet.
The official delegation includes Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, and Communications acting secretary Dave Gomez.