Prabowo Subianto Pays Courtesy Visit to Filipino President Marcos

Manila, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia’s Defense Minister and President-elect, Prabowo Subianto, paid a courtesy visit to Filipino President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at the Malacañang Palace on Friday, in an effort to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Indonesia and the Philippines, and enhance regional defense cooperation.

Brigadier General Edwin Adrian Sumantha, Chief of the Public Relations Bureau at Indonesia’s Defense Ministry, confirmed that the meeting was part of ongoing efforts to bolster defense collaboration across Southeast Asia.

During the visit, President-elect Prabowo praised President Marcos for his leadership, which he said had elevated the Philippines’ standing on the global stage. “I am impressed by your leadership. Your strategic outlook has elevated the Philippines’ position at the global level, showing real progress in political, economic, and military sectors,” Prabowo remarked.

Prabowo also commended the Philippines for successfully hosting the 13th Joint Defense and Security Cooperation Committee (JDSCC) in Manila in July 2024, and reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to host the 14th JDSCC next year, underscoring the importance of continuity in defense cooperation between the two nations.

In response, President Marcos emphasized the strong ties of friendship between the Philippines and Indonesia, expressing confidence that the relationship would continue to grow. “I believe the friendship between our countries will only become stronger in the future,” Marcos noted.

High-ranking Filipino officials, including Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, Executive Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., and Defense Secretary Lucas Bersamin, were present at the meeting. Prabowo was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Indonesia’s House of Representatives Commission I, Sugiono.

Prabowo’s visit to the Philippines is part of a broader diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia, where he has engaged with national leaders to reaffirm Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral partnerships. So far, he has visited Brunei Darussalam, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand, including informal talks with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during his visit to Bangkok.

This visit underscores Prabowo’s dedication to enhancing regional defense cooperation as he prepares to assume the presidency of Indonesia.