Amid the heightened tensions between the neighboring countries.
In his statement issued on Sunday, July 27, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. expressed the country’s stance on the ongoing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, two fellow members in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc.
Marcos said, “The Philippines views with concern the ongoing conflict between our two fellow ASEAN Member States and urge them to resolve the dispute in accordance with international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.”
The chief executive also conveyed the country’s willingness to help in achieving peace in the region and told, “The Philippines stands ready to assist in any way to restore peace.”
It was last Thursday, July 24, when intense armed fights broke out at the northeastern part of the 800-kilometer-long border shared by both nations.
Both sides have since pointed fingers at one another over who started the fights, which has already claimed the lives of over a dozen individuals.
In response to the situation, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued its statement on Friday, July 25.
The DFA wrote, “We are hopeful our two fellow ASEAN member states will resolve this issue in accordance with international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.”
“We urge both parties to extend due consideration and care to innocent civilians who may be affected by the ongoing conflict,” it added.
The agency also underscored the country’s impartiality on the matter, but unsercored the importance of “maintaining open lines of communication and ensuring the de-escalation of the situation.“
“We are continually monitoring the situation and we are ready to extend all possible assistance to Filipinos living in these two countries if necessary. To date, no Filipino nationals have been reported to be affected by this conflict,” the statement ended.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Thailand, which is based in the capital Bangkok, has strongly advised Filipinos from traveling to the provinces near the border, such as Ubon Ratchatani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Sa Kaeo, Buri Ram, Chantaburi, and Trat.
It also instructed those based in these areas to follow any advice, including evacuation orders, from local authorities.