Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who is on a three-day official trip to the Philippines, asked President Marcos’ support for the Philippines’ planned purchase of an anti-submarine aircraft that would be deployed in the West Philippine Sea.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo and President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. jointly face the media for a statement on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Malacañang. (PPA Pool/ Ryan Baldemor)
“I also seek Your Excellency’s support related to the purchase of anti-submarine warfare aircrafts for the Philippine Navy from Indonesia,” the Indonesian leader told Marcos during their bilateral meeting in Malacañang on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
Palace has yet to release the Chief Executive’s response to Widodo’s request, and the Indonesian president also did not give specifications on the aircraft's features and capabilities.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) already procured two anti-submarine helicopters from United Kingdom, but it has plans to procure four more anti-submarine choppers in the coming years.
Last year, the AFP said it would deploy an anti-submarine aircraft to the West Philippine Sea amid rising tensions there with China.
While Widodo was “delighted” about the cooperation between both countries, he urged continued and strengthened partnerships in economy and security matters.
“I’m delighted about positive progress about the implementation of our two countries’ action plan which needs to be followed up with concrete steps to strengthen collaboration especially in two areas of cooperation,” he said.
“I welcome the strengthening of cooperation on border security, including on joint patrols, but there are many things still to be improved,” he added.
The Indonesian president expressed hope that more agreements on border crossing and joint patrols can be signed between the two countries.
Together with the Philippines, Indonesia’s exclusive economic zones (EEZs) are also being claimed by China based on its nine-dash line map.
While he did not mention China during the meeting, Widodo said that “separation of continental boundaries need to be pushed.”
Widodo’s three-day official trip to Manila includes a visit to factories of instant coffee producer Kopiko Philippines Corp. and carrageenan supplier W Hydrocolloids Inc.
He is set to visit Brunei and Vietnam next.