President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. hosted Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto at Malacañang Palace on Friday. During their meeting, Marcos expressed his appreciation for Prabowo’s decision to visit Manila as one of his first foreign trips since being elected, noting that it would strengthen ties between the Philippines and Indonesia. Marcos also recalled that his first international visit after assuming office in 2022 was to Indonesia.
Prabowo affirmed his commitment to maintaining the strong relationship between the two nations, emphasizing their shared cultural and historical ties, as well as their geographic proximity. He expressed the importance of close cooperation between the neighboring countries.
The Philippines and Indonesia are set to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations in November.
Prabowo, Indonesia’s Defense Minister and a former military general, was officially confirmed as the winner of Indonesia’s February presidential elections. He will assume office on October 20, succeeding President Joko Widodo.