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PH, Vietnam express concern over Thailand-Cambodia fighting

Philippines | National

PH, Vietnam express concern over Thailand-Cambodia fighting

By Joseph Pedrajas

Village security volunteers and resident run into shelter while the blasts sounded too close in Buriram province, Thailand, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, following renewed border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Village security volunteers and resident run into shelter while the blasts sounded too close in Buriram province, Thailand, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, following renewed border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

The Philippines and Vietnam have expressed concern over developments in their neighboring countries of Thailand and Cambodia, where exchange of fire over border disputes continues.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DF) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said Wednesday, Dec. 19, she talked by phone to her Vietnamese counterpart Le Hoai Trung, which was held as part of the Philippines' chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026. The two officials also discussed the partnership between the two countries.

“Had a productive call with Viet Nam Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, with whom I discussed the strong positive trajectory of our Strategic Partnership, especially as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of [Philippines-Vietnam] diplomatic relations,” she said in a post on X.

Lazaro said they both reaffirmed the shared commitment to contribute to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous ASEAN region.

Thailand and Cambodia, also fellow members of the Philippines and Vietnam in ASEAN, blamed each other for instigating the clashes, which have so far affected locals living in the two countries’ shared borders.

At least 32 people were so far killed.

“And particularly [we] expressed concern over developments in the Cambodia-Thailand situation,” Lazaro added.

Related Tags

DFA Ma. Theresa Lazaro PH-Vietnam Thailand-Cambodia clash

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