Phnom Penh: The Kingdom of Cambodia and the Republic of the Philippines will strengthen the bilateral partnership between the two armies. The commitment was made during an official visit of H.E. Gen. Mao Sophan, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army to the Republic of the Philippines from Mar. 13-16.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the visit aimed to enhance military cooperation and strengthen the partnership between the two armies. During this visit, H.E. Gen. Mao Sophan held bilateral discussions with Lieutenant General Roy M. Galido, Commanding General of the Philippine Army. Both commanders expressed their deep satisfaction and high appreciation for the strong and enduring ties between Cambodia and the Philippines, highlighting the growing cooperation between their respective countries, peoples, and armed forces.

The two commanders also emphasised the ongoing efforts to elevate the relationship between their armies to a higher level through enhanced exchanges at all levels, joint training programmes, and bilateral exercises. As part of his engagements, H.E. Gen. Mao Sophan visited several key Philippine Army units, including the 525th Engineer Battalion, the Armor Division, and the Philippine Army Officer Candidate School. These visits provided valuable insights into the Philippine Army’s training methodologies, capability development, and operational readiness, further promoting closer military-to-military cooperation.

The official visit by H.E. Gen. Mao Sophan exemplifies the commitment of both armies to deepening defence collaboration, enhancing regional security, and reinforcing mutual trust. It also signifies a broader effort to advance stability and security within the region.