September 23, 2024
JAKARTA – Defense Minister and president-elect Prabowo Subianto visited Manila to have a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Friday, a month before the former’s inauguration as Indonesia’s next president.
During the meeting, which took place at the Malacanang Palace, Prabowo expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome for him and the Philippines’ role in the region as Indonesia’s strategic partner, especially in defense.
“I’m really impressed with your leadership,” Prabowo told President Marcos, according to a statement issued by the Defense Ministry on Friday.
“Your strategic outlook has advanced the Philippines’ stance on the global stage significantly, showing real progress in politics, the economy and militarily,” the defense minister added.
Indonesia, the former Army general went on to say, also appreciated its archipelagic neighbor for hosting the 13th meeting of the Philippines-Indonesia Joint Defense and Security Cooperation Committee (JDSCC) in June.
The joint committee is tasked with, among other assignments, initiating and recommending cooperative activities between the two countries on defense and to coordinate and monitor the implementation of such proposed activities.
It meets every year alternately in the Philippines and Indonesia, with the latter hosting the meeting next year.
“We are committed to participating in this annual bilateral [defense] forum,” Prabowo said.
In an Instagram post after the meeting, Marcos wrote that he wished Prabowo success in leading Indonesia “to even greater heights”.
“Our nations have always shared a deep bond of friendship,” the Philippine president wrote, “and I am certain that it will only strengthen in the years to come.”
Prabowo’s visit to Manila was the latest in his series of international tours that has been ongoing since the General Elections Commission (KPU) declared him winner of the February presidential election.
Last Friday, the former Army general met with Vietnamese President Tô Lâm in Hanoi to discuss bilateral relations in various sectors, including national defense.
While conveying his condolences on the tragedy of Typhoon Yagi, which hit Vietnam on Sept. 7, Prabowo said that Indonesia would be ready to help in whatever capacity in disaster recovery.
Prabowo has traveled to Japan, China, France, Turkey, Russia, and Australia, among other countries, in the past few months to meet and discuss with their leaders. On several occasions, he also invited the foreign leaders to attend his inauguration as Indonesia’s eighth president in Jakarta on Oct. 20.