The Philippines said it supports the new ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia following a special border meeting between the two countries, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
“The Philippines fully supports the latest move by Cambodia and Thailand to return to the ceasefire and acknowledges the willingness of both sides to return to dialogue and seek peaceful and durable means to resolve the issue,” the DFA said in a statement Monday night.
The second ceasefire occurred between the two countries during a special General Border Committee (GBC) held on the border between Prauk (Cambodia's Pailin Province) and Ban Park Krad (Thailand's Chanthaburi Province).
The two Southeast Asian countries issued a joint statement renewing their ceasefire agreement, the DFA said.
According to a Reuters report, the two countries reached a ceasefire signed by Thai Defense Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit and Cambodian Defense Minister Tee Seha. It came into effect on 27 December
The agreement followed a heated border clash in which both sides launched airstrikes and heavy artillery. Local officials said the deaths exceeded 100.
The Philippines had earlier said it was ready to act as a mediator between Thailand and Cambodia after it formally takes over the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026.
Manila is set to host the ASEAN summit next year. The country took office a year ahead of schedule due to political unrest in Myanmar.
Member states are expected to address a number of security concerns during the summit next year. These include the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict, humanitarian concerns caused by Myanmar's junta-led government, and growing disputes in the South China Sea involving China and the Philippines and other member states. – Adrian H. Halili