PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. and Indonesian President Joko Widodo yesterday agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation between the Philippines and Indonesia in several areas such as defense and security amid regional challenges, including territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
“President Widodo and I had a fruitful and honest discussion on regional events of mutual interest such as the developments in the South China Sea and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) cooperation and initiatives,” Marcos said during the delivery of the Leaders’ Statements following a meeting with Widodo in Malacañang.
Widodo, during the delivery of the Leaders Statement, said, “We have agreed to strengthen border cooperation and I have conveyed the importance of accelerating the revisions of the border patrol agreement and the border crossing agreement, the settlement of the continental shelf boundaries and the strengthening of defense cooperation including defense equipment.”
He also sought Marcos’ support “to purchase of anti-submarine warfare aircraft of the Philippine Navy from the Indonesia.” He did not elaborate.
Widodo, the first foreign leader to visit the Philippines this year, arrived in the country on Tuesday night for a three-day official visit. Arrival honors and a lunch banquet was accorded Widodo in Malacañang yesterday.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines has bought two anti-submarine helicopters from the United Kingdom and plans to buy four more.
Malacañang was mum on whether the case of Mary Jane Veloso was raised during any of the meetings of the two Presidents.
REGIONAL PARTNERS
Marcos said the Philippines and Indonesia, as founding members of ASEAN and the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), also “affirmed our insistence on the universality of UNCLOS (United Nations’ Convention on the Law of the Sea), which sets out the legal framework that governs all activities in the oceans and in the seas.”
Marcos said he told Widodo during their meeting that Indonesia continues to be one of the closest friends and regional partners of the Philippines.
“As like-minded developing nations, the Philippines and Indonesia both aspire for the ASEAN to be, for ASEAN commonality that is peaceful, stable, and prosperous. As neighbors we must remain united in addressing challenges that the region now faces,” he said.
The two leaders also welcomed the conclusion of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) led by the foreign ministers of the Philippines and Indonesia.
During the JCBC, the two countries committed to continue implementing the Philippines-Indonesia Plan of Action 2022-2027 towards further elevating our bilateral relations to new heights, especially with the marking of the 75th Anniversary of Philippines-Indonesia Diplomatic Relations this year.
The Plan of Action, signed on the sidelines of the State Visit of Marcos in Indonesia in September 2022, covers multifaceted cooperation in political and security, border issues, regional and global issues, economic cooperation, sociocultural and people-to-people exchange, and judicial and consular matters between the Philippines and Indonesia.
The JCBC is the primary dialogue mechanism between the Philippines and Indonesia to review accomplishments on mutual collaboration initiatives, exchange views on issues of mutual interest, and consider plans for enhancing cooperation.
The two leaders also agreed to enhance trade and infrastructure cooperation.
Widodo, during the bilateral meeting, assured the Philippines that Indonesia is committed to keeping market access open for Philippines’ agriculture commodities.
He, meanwhile, sought Philippines’ support related to special safeguard measures for Indonesian coffee products.
He also called for the acceleration of the groundbreaking of the North-South Commuter Railway Project, a joint venture of Indonesia and the Philippines.
ASEAN CHAIRMANSHIP
Marcos congratulated Indonesia for its successful chairmanship and hosting of ASEAN and said the Philippines hopes to emulate the success when it chairs the regional bloc in 2026.
He also commended Widodo’s “visionary leadership and your strong commitment” in promoting and enhancing the long-standing and close ties between the Philippines and Indonesia.
Widodo is set to end his two terms as Indonesian president this year.
Marcos, at the state luncheon, expressed optimism Widodo’s successor “will continue the momentum of the positive trajectory in both our bilateral and regional partnership.”
He also acknowledged the warm hospitality extended to him by Widodo during his state visit to Indonesia in September 2022.
Widodo thanked Marcos for the warm welcome.
“This year we celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relation and remain committed to continue to work hand-in-hand to strengthen our cooperation for the next 75 years. Indonesia and the Philippines have also strengthened commitment to continue to maintain ASEAN unity and centrality for the sake of peace, stability, and prosperity of our region,” he added.
VELOSO CASE
Veloso’s parents yesterday submitted a letter of appeal for clemency for the former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who has been in prison in Indonesia since 2010.
In a short program at the Mendiola Bridge in Manila, Cesar and Celia Veloso and Mary Jane’s kids brought the letter which was handed by a lawyer who was allowed by the Presidential Security Group to enter the Palace.
The OFW group Migrante International said the letter was received by the Palace.
The group also said, “We reiterate our demand: clemency and freedom for Mary Jane, now! We stand in solidarity with Mary Jane’s parents, Nanay Celia and Tatay Cesar, her two sons, whose fighting spirit for the past 13 years have not wavered.”
Addressing Widodo, Migrante said, “Please show compassion for victims of human trafficking, commit to protecting and supporting them and their families, and ensuring victims have access to justice,” said Migrante.
Veloso, a domestic helper from Nueva Ecija, who was arrested in 2010 for allegedly smuggling 2.6 kilograms of heroin into Indonesia, and was meted the death penalty. Her execution by firing squad in April 2015 was stopped by Widodo merely an hour before it was to be carried out, based on appeals of then President Benigno Aquino III who explained that her testimony is vital in the case she has filed against her recruiters.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said he had asked Widodo to reexamine Veloso’s case considering she is a victim of illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
The Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday said “legal interrogatories” sent by a local court to Veloso regarding the case against her illegal recruiters would help boost her clemency bid.
Legal interrogatories are written questions sent by one party or the court to another party as part of information-gathering in preparation for the trial of a case.
To recall, cases of human trafficking and large-scale illegal recruitment were filed against Veloso’s traffickers, Julius Lacanilao and Cristina Sergio, at the Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court. In 2020, the court handed a guilty verdict to the two on the illegal recruitment case but the human trafficking case remains pending.
“It was established during Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s official visit that the legal interrogatories required from the Philippine Regional Trial Court on the case of Mary Jane Veloso have been sent to Jakarta for Ms. Veloso to answer, as part of her testimony on the pending case that she filed against her illegal recruiters,” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said.
“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed hope that the progression of the case of Ms. Veloso will merit her clemency at the appropriate time,” she added.
Veloso has accused Sergio and Lacanilao of duping her into bringing heroin to Indonesia, resulting in her arrest and conviction. Her camp said the deposition would boost her defense in the drug trafficking conviction in Indonesia.
Lazaro said government will “continuously exhaust” all efforts to assist Veloso and her family.
“Last Christmas, the family of Ms. Veloso was able to visit and spend several days with her through the assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta,” she added. — With Gerard Naval and Ashzel Hachero
