Bongbong Marcos: Asean will champion peace in troubled times

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday said he and Indonesian President Joko Widodo shared the same belief that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will be the “lead agent” in bringing peace in the countries, especially during this “very volatile” period in geopolitics.

Marcos said he and Widodo “spoke at length” about the ideal role of the Asean as their respective countries face challenges in these difficult times.

“We spoke at length about the role that we believe ASEAN should play while we face the difficulties in this very volatile time in geopolitics not only in our region but also in the rest of the world,” he said.

“We agreed that Asean is going to be the lead agent in the changes that we would like to see in continuing to bring peace to our countries. And again the assistance that we have received from Indonesia has been a very important part of that,” Marcos added.

The Philippine President also said he and Widodo agreed to organize task forces to meet and discuss at the technical level to fully “take advantage of the opportunities” that the Philippines and Indonesia would need to capitalize on soon.

“I express my belief to President Widodo that these partnerships with all our partners and allies and friends around the world will be of critical importance so that we remain stable as we grow out of the pandemic economy and we work together and help each other to develop regional peace and regional development,”  Marcos Jr. said.

Marcos then thanked Indonesia for its assistance and involvement in infrastructure programs under the administration of then President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We continue to thank Indonesia for their continuing commitment not only to go on with these programs but to increase the volume and the closeness between our two countries,” he said.

He also  hailed Widodo for his “very kind invitation,” noting that going to Jakarta for his first state visit as the country’s 17th president was the “proper choice.”

Marcos likewise thanked the Indonesian people for their hospitality and openness.

“I believe that this is only the beginning of many more things to come between Indonesia and the Philippines,” he said.

Marcos is currently on the second day of his three-day state visit to Indonesia (Sept. 4 to 6).

He will then be in Singapore from September 6 to 7 to meet with President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

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JPV/abc