Philippine Envoy Says AOT Will Remain Neutral

Philippine Envoy Says AOT Will Remain Neutral

PHNOM PENH, 3 July 2026 — The Philippine ambassador to Cambodia has reaffirmed that the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), led by the Philippines, will continue carrying out its mission with transparency and neutrality following Cambodia’s recent protest over the team’s activities near the Thai border.

The assurance was given during a meeting on July 2 between outgoing Philippine Ambassador Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.

The ambassador’s remarks came shortly after the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces lodged a formal protest with the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, alleging that members of the Thailand-based ASEAN Observer Team, accompanied by Thai military personnel, entered Cambodian territory near Khnar Temple in Oddar Meanchey province without prior notification or coordination.

Cambodia’s military said the incident was inconsistent with the principles of neutrality, confidence-building and mutual respect that underpin the ASEAN Observer Team mechanism.

During the meeting, Hun Manet expressed appreciation for the Philippines’ role as ASEAN’s rotating chair in helping facilitate efforts to address recent Cambodia-Thailand border issues.

The prime minister also reiterated Cambodia’s position that border disputes should be resolved peacefully, based on international law and in accordance with existing conventions, treaties and bilateral agreements between Cambodia and Thailand.