AKP Phnom Penh, May 28, 2026 -- H.E. General Vong Pisen, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), met Thursday with outgoing Philippine Defence Attaché Colonel Leo Dymock to discuss regional stability and bilateral defence cooperation as the latter concludes his diplomatic mission in Cambodia.

During the farewell call at the RCAF Headquarters, Colonel Dymock expressed his gratitude to the Cambodian military leadership for their close cooperation, which he credited for the success of his tenure.

As the Philippines assume the rotating ASEAN chair, Colonel Dymock affirmed Manila’s commitment to facilitating stability along the volatile Cambodian-Thai border, underscoring its broader goal of maintaining regional peace and development.

In response, H.E. Gen. Vong Pisen highly commended the Philippine envoy's efforts in bolstering bilateral and multilateral ties within the ASEAN framework, highlighting key achievements in high-level exchanges, human resource development, and joint military exercises.

The Cambodian commander-in-chief also conveyed appreciation to the Philippines for its commitment to sustaining the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) mission – handing over from previous chair Malaysia – to monitor the ceasefire and reduce border frictions between Cambodia and Thailand.

H.e. Gen. Vong Pisen briefed the Philippine delegation on the current situation along the Cambodian-Thai border. While a ceasefire agreement is currently in place, the general noted that anxieties persist. He expressed concern over continued tensions, alleging that Thai forces have advanced deep into Cambodian territory, which leaves the area susceptible to renewed armed clashes.

Reiterating Cambodia’s diplomatic stance, H.E. Gen. Vong Pisen emphasised that the Kingdom remains committed to resolving border disputes peacefully in accordance with international law and existing bilateral treaties, maintaining that borders must not be altered through the use of force.

By K. Rithy Reak