PH Ready to Assist Indonesia in Wake of Lombok Earthquakes

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano signs the guestbook at the Indonesian Foreign Ministry as Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi looks on. This is Secretary Cayetano's first visit to Indonesia (Photos by the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta)

23 August 2018 — The Philippines has reiterated its readiness to extend a helping hand to Indonesia in the wake of the devastating earthquakes that have struck the island province of Lombok.

“As a neighbor and close friend in ASEAN, we stand ready to lend a helping hand much like you have done when we were struck with disasters,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano told Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi during his recent official visit to Jakarta.

During their meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, the Secretary again expressed his sympathies on the loss of lives and destruction of property resulting from the three earthquakes that hit Lombok in the past several weeks.

According to reports, as many as 500 people have died in the earthquakes that have caused widespread destruction in the popular resort island.

Aside from offer of assistance, Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Leehiong T. Wee said Secretary Cayetano was also able to discuss with Foreign Minister Marsudi the convening of the Philippines-Indonesia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), a mechanism to review and shape relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Wee said the Secretary also requested Indonesia’s assistance and support for the repatriation of Filipino fishermen apprehended for alleged fishing violations.

“Foreign Minister Marsudi also conveyed to the Secretary the ratification by Jakarta of the Philippine-Indonesia Exclusive Economic Zone Boundary Agreement and expressed hope for its ratification by the Philippines,” Ambassador Wee said.

According to the envoy, Minister Marsudi also expressed Jakarta’s continued support for the Philippine peace process, and reaffirmed Indonesia’s readiness to contribute to the achievement of lasting peace in Mindanao.

Secretary Cayetano and Ambassador Wee were accompanied in the meeting by Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Meynard Montealegre, Philippine Permanent Representative to ASEAN Elizabeth Buensuceso, and Philippine Consul General in Manado Oscar Orcine. 

Indonesia is home to around 8,000 Filipinos, mostly in the managerial and professional positions, with a number of them in the technical or education sectors. Total trade in 2017 is pegged at US$7 billion, with Philippine exports at US$702 million and imports at US$6 billion. END