Marcos cites Indonesia's contribution to Mindanao dev't

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday highlighted the role and contribution of Indonesia to the peace and development in Mindanao.

During the joint press statement following Marcos' bilateral meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Marcos expressed hope that Indonesia would continue to help the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

"So, today, we also recognized Indonesia's contribution to peace and development in the Southern Philippines. As Mindanao continues to reap the dividends of peace and democracy, we hope that Indonesia will continue to extend its helping hand to building the institutions of local governance, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region," Marcos said.

"We also took this opportunity to reiterate to our respective agencies that they must expedite the relevant MOUs (memorandum of understanding) that will help unlock the economic potential of BARMM to encourage development, particularly on the livelihood of our many constituents residing in the said region," he added.

In his opening statement during the bilateral meeting, the Philippine President recalled the success of his state visit in September 2022. Indonesia is the first country that Marcos visited since he assumed the presidency.

"The success of that visit not only served as a testament to our continuing and flourishing bilateral ties, but it also enabled us to forge new partnerships and collaboration in new areas of cooperation like renewable energy, creative economy, infrastructure development, and other industrial development that have, since that time, [provided] a reason as opportunities for both our countr[ies]," Marcos said.

According to Marcos, Jakarta continues to be one of the Philippines' closest friends and regional partners.

"Our many commonalities in geography, history, and culture have fostered deeper and more comprehensive engagements at various levels spanning defense and security, maritime operations, trade and investment, tourism,  people-to-people exchanges, amongst many others, and I might add a strengthening government-to-government relationship," Marcos said.

Meanwhile, Marcos also commended Jokowi's visionary leadership as well as his strong commitment to promoting and enhancing the long-standing and close ties between the Philippines and Indonesia.

At the state luncheon, Marcos told Jokowi that the Philippines would remain committed to working closely with Indonesia to further strengthen the two countries’ bilateral relations as the Indonesian leader’s tenure draws to a close.

“As you conclude your term as the President of the Republic of Indonesia in the coming months, I am optimistic that your successor will continue the momentum of the positive trajectory in both our bilateral and regional partnership,” Marcos said.

“I assure you, sir, that the Philippines will remain committed to working closely and actively with Indonesia as we nurture our bonds of kinship and elevate our relations to new heights,'' he added.

Marcos said that even when Jokowi's presidency would end, he would still ''be knocking on his door to ask for assistance whenever I feel the need.''

Jokowi is currently in Manila for an official visit.

Indonesia is the first country that Marcos visited since he took office in 2022. — VDV, GMA Integrated News