Bongbong Marcos receives Indonesian President-elect Prabowo at Malacañang

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr on Friday received Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto at the Malacañang Palace.

In the exchange of pleasantries, Marcos told Prabowo that it bodes well for the Philippines and Indonesia that the latter chose Manila as one of his first foreign visits as an elected state leader. Marcos’ first foreign trip after his assumption to the presidency in 2022 was in Indonesia.

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

Prabowo, meanwhile, reconfirmed his commitment to maintain what he called the traditionally close relationship between the Philippines and Indonesia

“We have common roots, cultural, historical, and by the fact that we are very close neighbors, it behooves us, I think, to always support each other and to work together closely in all fields,” he said.

The Philippines and Indonesia will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations this November.

Prabowo, Indonesia’s Defense minister and a former military general, has been officially confirmed by Indonesia’s Election Commission as having won the presidential elections held in February. He will formally assume the presidency on October 20, replacing Joko Widodo.—AOL, GMA Integrated News