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The Philippines will deploy military observers to help prevent the escalation of tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Romeo Brawner Jr. said Tuesday.
In an ambush interview at a Stratbase forum, Brawner confirmed that two generals will be sent as part of the country’s role in leading the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“Two generals…I cleared this with the President and we are very serious in that role that we are playing as lead of the ASEAN observer team kasi gusto natin na ma-establish talaga yung yung leadership role natin as ASEAN chair,” he said.
(Two generals…I cleared this with the President and we are very serious in that role that we are playing as lead of the ASEAN observer team because we really want to establish our leadership role as ASEAN chair.)
“Ang isang pamamaraan nito is by making sure that the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia will not escalate. Yun ang role natin,” he added.
(One way to do this is by making sure that the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia will not escalate. That is our role.)
Brawner did not provide specific details on the deployment timeline.
In December last year, Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro said the Philippines as ASEAN chair is ready to assume the role of mediator between Thailand and Cambodia.
“Following the discussions today, the Philippines said that it is prepared to assume the role of facilitator/mediator between Cambodia and Thailand should both parties decide to make use of the good offices of the Chair once the Philippines assumes the Chairship in January 2026,” a statement by the Department of Foreign Affairs said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
