Marcos, Widodo agree to beef up defense ties; discuss South China Sea developments

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 10) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Indonesian leader Joko Widodo on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to boost their nations’ defense cooperation and asserted the need to uphold international law amid threats of regional instability.

The two leaders spoke about their plans to fortify relations between the Philippines and Indonesia after holding a bilateral meeting at Malacañan Palace.

In his televised statement, Widodo said he and Marcos have agreed to strengthen border cooperation, stressing on “the importance of accelerating the revisions of the border patrol agreement and border crossing agreement” signed by both countries in 1975.

Widodo also said they discussed improving their partnership on defense equipment, as he sought Marcos’ support for the Philippines to purchase new warfare aircraft from Indonesia.

Meanwhile, the officials also tackled developments in the disputed South China Sea where increased aggressions by Chinese forces against Philippine fisherfolk and vessels have been observed.

“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 in his speech.

He and Widodo affirmed the universality of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which lays down rules governing all uses of the seas and the oceans.

“Regarding our region, we agree on the importance […] for ASEAN to continue to uphold the principles of international law and become a positive force for peace, stability and prosperity,” Widodo said.

Earlier, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi expressed her country’s readiness to work with ASEAN member states in finalizing the long-delayed code of conduct that aims to prevent conflicts in the South China Sea.

Widodo arrived in Manila on Tuesday evening for his first overseas official trip this year, which reciprocates Marcos’ visit to Jakarta in September 2022. He is scheduled to leave the country on Thursday.