PBBM, President Widodo stress stronger economic, defense, cultural ties
The Philippines and Indonesia signed four agreements on economic cooperation, culture, and defense on Monday during the second day of the state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The agreements were presented to Mr. Marcos and his host, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, before they issued statements from Bogor Palace in West Java.
In his statement, the President said he and Jokowi talked “at length” about the lead role the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (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.”
Mr. Marcos thanked Indonesia for its assistance and involvement in infrastructure programs in the Philippines, and its commitment to continue with these programs.
He expressed optimism that his first state visit would result in a stronger alliance with Indonesia.
“This partnership between Indonesia and the Philippines… 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,” Mr. Marcos said.
Indonesia for him and many other Filipinos is “not only a neighbor, not only a friend, but kin”, the Chief Executive said.
He expressed gratitude to the Indonesian leader for inviting him to visit Indonesia, saying this was only the beginning of many things to come for the two countries.
“On that basis, we spoke about the difficulties that we as members of ASEAN face after the pandemic, and this is why trade is such an important part of what we spoke and what we have agreed upon,” Mr. Marcos said.
Widodo, meanwhile, called for a significant increase in trade and invited the Philippines to continue developing potential trade deals and to improve connectivity in border areas.
Compared to last year, trade between Indonesia and the Philippines increased by almost 50 percent, the Indonesian leader said.
Widodo said shipping routes between Bitung and Davao should be revitalized and said he looked forward to the reopening of the Manado-Davao flight route.
Jokowi also said he and Mr. Marcos agreed to review two border security agreements so that they remain relevant for communities in border areas.
“In the field of defense and security, we encouraged strengthening cooperation and safety and security of waters in border areas. I highly appreciate the signing of the Agreement on Cooperative Activities in the Field of Defense and Security,” he said.
“I’m glad that we have renewed the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement or TCA between Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia, which is very important to secure our waters from threats of hostage-taking and kidnapping.”
Widodo told reporters that the Philippines will be buying two landing platforms and as yet unspecified air assets from Indonesia as part of the border security agreements between the two countries.
Signed agreements on cultural, economic and defense and security cooperation were presented to the two presidents by members of their respective Cabinets.
The plan of action, which will cover the cooperative efforts between the Philippines and Indonesia from 2022 to 2027, was presented by Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and his counterpart, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.
At the same time, Widodo said the Philippines and Indonesia have agreed to speed up negotiations on the delimitation of continental shelf based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Philippines and Indonesia are parties to the 1982 UNCLOS and are entitled to an EEZ (exclusive economic zone) of 200 nautical miles.
Widodo thanked Mr. Marcos for “his full support” for Indonesia’s 2023 chairmanship of the ASEAN.
After his meeting with Widodo, the President was expected to have a roundtable meeting with Indonesian business leaders and will visit some of Jakarta’s landmarks before departing Tuesday for Singapore.
The Philippine presidential entourage arrived at the palace at 10 a.m. local time (UTC +7) and was welcomed by the presidential cavalry and marching band.
At the Palace ground, President Widodo welcomed President Marcos by shaking hands, while First Lady Iriana Widodo welcomed First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos by presenting a flower bouquet.
The two heads of state then attended the welcoming ceremony where the national anthems of Indonesia and the Philippines were played, followed by a troop inspection.
Widodo then introduced government ministers present at the palace to welcome Mr. Marcos.
Indonesia’s Ambassador to the Philippines Agus Widjojo and Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Director General of Asia-Pacific and African Affairs Abdul Kadir Jailani were present to welcome the Philippine head of state.
President Marcos and First Lady Araneta-Marcos arrived in Indonesia on Sunday and were welcomed by Minister of Communications and Informatics Johnny G. Plate at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
The Philippines presidential entourage had earlier visited Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta to lay a wreath and pay homage to the national heroes.
The Palace said the President was warmly received by Filipinos in Indonesia.
In a Facebook live, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said Marcos enjoyed his meeting with about 500 Filipinos working in Indonesia held at the Fairmont Hotel in Jakarta.
Marcos was greeted with cheers and applause by the Filipino community in Indonesia, many of them wanting to approach him to shake his hand or take photos.