The foreign ministers of Cambodia and the Philippines have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening joint efforts to combat transnational crimes, human trafficking and cyber fraud.

This commitment was expressed during a telephone conversation between Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and Enrique A. Manalo, the Philippines’ Secretary of Foreign Affairs, on January 15.

 “Minister Manalo expressed gratitude for Cambodia’s full cooperation and goodwill in resolving the recent surrogate pregnancy cases involving Filipino nationals,” explained a foreign ministry statement.

Both sides also praised the bilateral relations and are currently preparing for an official visit by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to the Philippines in February. Additionally, they discussed an in-person meeting between the two foreign ministers during the upcoming ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Malaysia.

In late December last year, 13 Filipino women returned to the Philippines after being arrested and sentenced to four years in prison (with two years suspended) in Cambodia for engaging in surrogacy, an act considered human trafficking under Cambodian law. The women were granted Royal pardons and released early, before being repatriated.

Pa Chanroeun, president of the Cambodian Institute for Democracy, believed that the cooperation between the two countries would enhance bilateral relations in trade and investment and also serve as a strategic approach to strengthening Cambodia’s ability to combat transnational crimes, online fraud, online gambling and human trafficking.

“Crimes like these cannot be addressed by Cambodia alone, as they are transnational in nature. Therefore, enhancing cooperation with the Philippines and other countries is essential to ensure effective interventions against transnational crimes,” he said.