The visit was aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership with the Philippines and bolstering regional defense cooperation, according to chief of the public relations bureau of the Defense Ministry's Secretariat General, Brigadier General Edwin Adrian Sumantha.
According to a press statement received on Friday, Prabowo commended President Marcos' leadership in making the Philippines more influential in Southeast Asia.
"I am impressed by your leadership. Your strategic outlook has elevated the Philippines' position at the global level, showing real progress in (your country's) political, economic, and military sectors," he told Marcos.
The President-elect also commended the Philippines for successfully hosting the 13th Joint Defense and Security Cooperation Committee (JDSCC) in Manila in July 2024. He also reiterated Indonesia's commitment to host the 14th JDSCC next year.
Meanwhile, President Marcos affirmed that his country has strong ties of friendship with Indonesia. "I also believe the friendship will be stronger in the future," he added.
Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, Executive Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr, and Defense Secretary Lucas Bersamin were among the Filipino officials who joined the meeting.
Meanwhile, Prabowo was accompanied by the deputy chief of Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR), Sugiono.
Prabowo has been making visits to Southeast Asian countries since the first week of September to meet national leaders and reaffirm his commitment to strengthening cooperation and bolstering bilateral partnerships.
The president-elect has so far visited Brunei Darussalam, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. He also held an informal meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former PM Thaksin Shinawatra during his visit to Thailand.
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Translator: Genta Tenri M, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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