Marcos in Indonesia, vows stronger ties

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (L) poses with Indonesia’s President-elect Prabowo Subianto during a courtesy call at Malacanang Palace in Manila on September 20, 2024. —Photo by Jam Sta Rosa/Pool/Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday reaffirmed his administration’s thrust to strengthen further the bilateral ties between the Philippines and Indonesia.

The President made the commitment as he congratulated President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka on their inauguration as top government leaders of Indonesia.

“As a fellow founding member of the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), Indonesia is one of the Philippines’ long-standing partners and closest friends in the region,” he said in a social media post.

READ: Incoming Indonesian president calls on Marcos

“I reaffirm our nation’s desire to further strengthen our bilateral ties with Indonesia on this momentous occasion and in lieu of our diplomatic relations’ 75th anniversary in November,” Mr. Marcos added.

The Philippine President and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos flew to Jakarta on Saturday to attend the Indonesian leaders’ inauguration on Sunday.

PH visit in September

Last month, then President-elect Prabowo paid a courtesy call on Marcos in Malacañang and gave the same commitment to strengthening the two neighboring countries’ “close relationship.”

In his exchange with Marcos, Prabowo noted the common cultural and historical roots of the Philippines and Indonesia, especially since the two nations are close neighbors in Southeast Asia.

“I came here today to pay my respects because exactly one month from now, on the 20th of October, God willing I will be inaugurated as president of the Republic of Indonesia,” he said.

Prabowo went on: “Perhaps it’s the Asian way, our custom, that before we enter a new position, we call on our friends and to reconfirm my commitment to strengthen the close relationship that we have, traditionally, between the Philippines and Indonesia.”

In response, Marcos thanked Prabowo for visiting Manila and said it was his great pleasure to welcome Prabowo to Malacañang.

“I think your visit here today will certainly bring a new impetus to making that relationship between Indonesia and the Philippines stronger and deeper,” the President added.

A former military general and defense minister of Indonesia, Prabowo was declared as president-elect in March, succeeding Joko Widodo.