Phnom Penh, Cambodia – February 12, 2026
On Thursday morning, February 12, 2026, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, received a courtesy call and held constructive working discussions with His Excellency General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), at the Peace Palace. The meeting marked a significant highlight of General Brawner Jr.’s official visit to Cambodia, scheduled from February 11 to 14, 2026, aimed at strengthening strategic bilateral defense ties.
The discussions underscored the enduring spirit of cooperation and mutual respect between the two key ASEAN member states. Both leaders acknowledged the critical importance of security stability in the region and emphasized the necessity of collaboration in addressing transnational threats, including counter-terrorism, disaster relief management (DRM), and increasing the scope of joint training exercises. Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed Cambodia’s commitment to further integrating military education and technology exchange programs, viewing robust defense collaboration as a crucial pillar for comprehensive nation-to-nation relations.
General Brawner Jr. reiterated the AFP’s readiness to deepen cooperation based strictly on the established principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and adherence to international law. The dialogue specifically focused on implementing existing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) efficiently, particularly concerning maritime security and regional stability under the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Plus mechanisms. The successful meeting concluded with a shared optimism for the continued expansion of the defense partnership, positioning the relationship to contribute robustly to peace, security, and prosperity within the Southeast Asian region.
