Sept. 09, 2016 – Press Statement of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his working visit to Indonesia
Press Statement of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his working visit to Indonesia |
Istana Merdeka, Jakarta, Indonesia |
09 September 2016 |
Thank you, Your Excellency. Again, I express gratitude for your warm welcome and the exceptional arrangements accorded to me and my delegation during my visit to Indonesia.
I am very pleased and honored to be in Jakarta. The Philippines considers its relations with Indonesia as among the most important. And today, we have taken steps to ensure that those ties remain vibrant and will gain greater depth and new dimensions. My meeting with President Widodo was very productive and fruitful. We discussed ways of strengthening existing bilateral cooperation and identified new areas of partnership, including maritime security and in law enforcement. We expressed grave concern over the security of our waters. We agreed to step up joint measures to address the issue of piracy and lawlessness in the waters in our region. We agreed to encourage the earliest and effective implementation of cooperative frameworks to address security issues in maritime areas of common concern. We expressed commitment to take all necessary measures to ensure security in the Sulu Sea and maritime areas of common concern. As two of the largest archipelagos in the world, we recognized the value of maritime cooperation between the Philippines and Indonesia. We will explore cooperation in this area, particularly in human resource development, fisheries and aquatic resources expertise and shipbuilding cooperation. We also expressed serious concern over recent developments in the region, including in the South China Sea. We called on parties to respect the rule of law and welcomed the support of partners in efforts to ensure the security and stability in the region, especially in the peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with international law. We underscored that peace is a necessary condition for growth and progress. I expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s abiding support as the Philippine Government moves forward with our peace processes. We also recognized the value of connectivity in spurring and sustaining growth in our countries. We discussed ways to boost air and sea connectivity and how enhanced trade and people-to-people exchanges can improve lives and spread progress, particularly in the BIMP-EAGA area. Both sides likewise viewed with grave concern the threat of terrorism and violent extremism. We agreed to work together to prevent, arrest and prosecute all those who seek to sow fear and terror in our societies. We share the deep concern over the trade in illicit and illegal drugs and its impact on our societies. We will seek ways to intensify cooperation in the campaign against illegal drugs. We will do our part in contributing to the aim of a drug-free ASEAN Community. With the Philippines chairmanship of ASEAN in 2017, I am glad to hear President Widodo’s support for the Philippines. I look forward to working closely with him on regional initiatives that will strengthen ASEAN. Certainly, the ties that bind the Philippines and Indonesia are long and enduring. The Philippines holds its relations with Indonesia as one that is truly valued. Indonesia is not only a friend but a brother. Indonesia is assured of the Philippines’ commitment to grow these relations in the years to come. I look forward to reciprocating President Jokowi’s hospitality when he visits the Philippines at a mutually convenient time. I look forward to working closely with my friend and brother. And may I add to the— just a few minutes, Mr. President. In 1972, there was this problem of oil and there was almost a crisis and there was rationing of fuel all over, including my country, the Philippines. I was still a student at that time when I read the assurance of the Indonesian government: that not to worry if no oil would get to us by way of the Middle East. And they said that, “You Filipinos will be supported by the Indonesians. You will have your oil and gasoline.” For that… to just inform how Indonesians has treated us like a big brother and we will continue to maintain this valued friendship, Mr. President. Thank you and I thank the Indonesians. |