President Marcos and Indonesian President Joko Widodo agreed to continue with their political and security cooperation as both leaders spoke about upholding international law towards the region's stability.

Both leaders expressed similar views in terms of their political and security ties during their bilateral meeting at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
"As immediate neighbors and fellow archipelagic states, the Philippines and Indonesia agreed to continue our cooperation on political and security matters, noting the recently concluded Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) headed by our respected foreign ministers," Marcos said in his speech at the Leaders' Statement after their bilateral meeting.
Marcos said their exchanges on ways to deepen both countries' political and economic ties "come naturally" considering their shared historic roots and cultural ties.
The President further said that they had a "fruitful and honest discussion" on regional events where they affirmed their demand on the universality of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
"President Widodo and I had a fruitful and honest discussion on regional events of mutual interests such as the development in the South China Sea and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) cooperation and initiative," Marcos said.
"As founding members of the ASEAN and Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), the Philippines and Indonesia affirm our insistence on the universality of UNCLOS which sets out the legal framework that governs all activities in the oceans and in the seas," he added.
Widodo echoed Marcos statement saying, they agreed that it is crucial to strengthen ASEAN unity and centrality.
"Regarding our region, we agreed on the importance of strengthening ASEAN unity and centrality that is not merely a jargon and for ASEAN to continue to uphold the principles of international law and become a positive force for peace, stability, and prosperity," Widodo said.
The Indonesian leader also conveyed the importance of accelerating the revisions of the border patrol agreement and border crossing agreement, the Settlement of Continental Shelf Boundaries and the strengthening of defense cooperation including defense equipment.
Meanwhile, he sought the Philippines' support related to special safeguard measures on Indonesian coffee products.
Both leaders also agreed to continue to open market access, while Widodo expressed appreciation for the Philippines' trust in Indonesia in the construction of the Philippines' important infrastructure projects, including the groundbreaking of the North-South Commuter Railway Project, which, he said, is important to be accelerated."