US, Asian diplomats pay courtesy call on Bongbong Marcos

By: Neil Arwin Mercado - 3 years ago

Japanese Ambassador to PH Koshikawa Kazuhiko pays courtesy call on presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Mandaluyong City. During the visit, Marcos says he intends to further strengthen ties and expand areas of cooperation between the two countries. 📸: BBM Media

Japanese Ambassador to PH Koshikawa Kazuhiko pays a courtesy call on presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Mandaluyong City. During the visit, Marcos says he intends to further strengthen ties and expand areas of cooperation between the two countries. Image from BBM Media

MANILA, Philippines — Four diplomats paid a courtesy call Monday on presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ahead of his proclamation as the next chief executive of the country.

Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko, South Korea Ambassador Kim Inchul, India Ambassador Shambhu S. Kumaran, and United States Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava separately visited Marcos Jr. in his headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

Japanese Ambassador to PH Koshikawa Kazuhiko pays courtesy call on presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Mandaluyong City. During the visit, Marcos says he intends to further strengthen ties and expand areas of cooperation between the two countries. 📸: BBM Media pic.twitter.com/m7oWzxYH4W

— Neil Arwin Mercado (@NAMercadoINQ) May 23, 2022

In an interview with the media, Ambassador Kumaran said among those tackled during his visit was the commitment to continue the “excellent bilateral relations” between India and the Philippines.

“We requested his continued support for the development of excellent bilateral relations between India and the Philippines,” Kumaran said.

“We’ve been having excellent progress over the past few years and we look forward to continuing the progress and dynamism under the new administration,” he added.

Kumaran likewise said strengthening the military and the health sector in the Philippines was also discussed during the visit.

India Ambassador to the PH Shambhu S. Kumaran speaks to the media after his courtesy call on presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/G9GPht9rK2

— Neil Arwin Mercado (@NAMercadoINQ) May 23, 2022

Meanwhile, Ambassadors Kazuhiko and Kim and Chargé d’Affaires Variava did not grant an interview with the media due to prior commitments.

US president Joe Biden earlier expressed his intentions to continue strengthening the alliance between the US and the Philippines.

EDV