Senator Bongbong Marcos: DFA should urge ASEAN neighbors to call for restraints in the Thai-Cambodian border clashes

Senator Bongbong Marcos yesterday exhorted the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ask its ASEAN neighbors to make a united call to put an end to the recent violent clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops. Seven casualties, two of which were civilians, have already been reported in relation to the recent clashes in the past few days between the two countries stemming from a long-standing border dispute over the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, which is located in Cambodian territory but could be easily accessed through the Thai-side of the border.

Senator Bongbong said that if not restrained and no genuine ceasefire is immediately made, the ongoing clashes could escalate and cause more injuries and deaths. He emphasized that, "this is a test on the strength of ASEAN as an association of friendship and cooperation among its member-countries to provide peace, harmony and prosperity in the region."