Scam-hub crisis pushes Philippines and Cambodia towards greater police tie-up

Deal reflects growing recognition that fighting criminal ecosystems is key to regional stability

- Mara Cepeda

MANILA - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's state visit to Cambodia from Sept 7 to 9 places a spotlight on one of South-east Asia's most urgent and complex security challenges: the rise of transnational scam hubs.

At the heart of the visit was an expanded police cooperation deal between the Philippines and Cambodia, aimed at tackling cyber fraud, human trafficking and cross-border syndicates that have turned parts of the region into hubs for online crime.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signals a rare alignment of security priorities between two countries that have historically diverged on geopolitical issues, particularly in their approaches to China.

Analysts say the agreement reflects a growing recognition that regional stability now depends as much on combating criminal ecosystems as on managing strategic rivalries.

Signed on Sept 8 in Phnom Penh and witnessed by Mr Marcos and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, the agreement amends a 2019 MOU between the Philippine National Police and the Cambodian National Police.

It broadens cooperation to include cybercrime, arms trafficking and human trafficking, and introduces an automatic renewal clause — signalling intent to sustain long-term coordination on cross-border threats.

In a joint press conference, Mr Marcos called the agreement a step towards a "new phase" in Philippine-Cambodian relations.

"We recognise that the growth and resilience of our economies depend on opening new avenues of cooperation," he said. "We also ensure that our region is less vulnerable to the effects of external uncertainties."