PH, Indonesia vow to enhance ties, cooperation

PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. and Indonesian President Joko Widodo yesterday agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation between the Philippines and Indonesia in several areas such as defense and security amid regional challenges, including territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

“President Widodo and I had a fruitful and honest discussion on regional events of mutual interest such as the developments in the South China Sea and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) cooperation and initiatives,” Marcos said during the delivery of the Leaders’ Statements following a meeting with Widodo in Malacañang.

Widodo, during the delivery of the Leaders Statement, said, “We have agreed to strengthen border cooperation and I have conveyed the importance of accelerating the revisions of the border patrol agreement and the border crossing agreement, the settlement of the continental shelf boundaries and the strengthening of defense cooperation including defense equipment.”

He also sought Marcos’ support “to purchase of anti-submarine warfare aircraft of the Philippine Navy from the Indonesia.” He did not elaborate.

Widodo, the first foreign leader to visit the Philippines this year, arrived in the country on Tuesday night for a three-day official visit. Arrival honors and a lunch banquet was accorded Widodo in Malacañang yesterday.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has bought two anti-submarine helicopters from the United Kingdom and plans to buy four more.

Malacañang was mum on whether the case of Mary Jane Veloso was raised during any of the meetings of the two Presidents.

REGIONAL PARTNERS

Marcos said the Philippines and Indonesia, as founding members of ASEAN and the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), also “affirmed our insistence on the universality of UNCLOS (United Nations’ Convention on the Law of the Sea), which sets out the legal framework that governs all activities in the oceans and in the seas.”

Marcos said he told Widodo during their meeting that Indonesia continues to be one of the closest friends and regional partners of the Philippines.

“As like-minded developing nations, the Philippines and Indonesia both aspire