10 December 2014 - A high-level contingent of Philippine government officials from various agencies attended a preparatory consultation meeting held in the island resort of Bali, Indonesia on November 25.

Ranking officials from the Department of Justice led by Chief State Prosecutor Ricardo V. Paras III, Associate Commissioner Abdullah S. Mangotara of the Bureau of Immigration, Charge d’Affairs Roberto G. Manalo of Philippine Embassy in Jakarata, and Philippine Consul General in Manado Jose Burgos joined the Head of Delegation, Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Wilfredo C. Santos, in exploratory dialogue with counterpart officials from the Republic of Indonesia.

Discussed during the meeting were various items of interest relevant to the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Indonesia which included consular access to detained nationals, notification of death of a foreign citizen and a prospective agreement on visa waiver for holders of diplomatic and official/service passports. The Department of Justice also briefed Indonesia about the progress of the project funded by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to register Persons of Indonesian Descent residing in Southern Philippines.

In addressing the forum at its close, Assistant Secretary Santos emphasized the importance of maintaining the close partnership between Indonesia and the Philippines when he said that “the accomplishment of the discussions is a testament to the continuous strengthening of ties between our two countries as we make bold efforts to move forward even as we acknowledge the limitations and challenges that we have yet to overcome as friendly neighbours in the region.”

The delegation from the Republic of Indonesia was led by the Director for Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (KEMLU), Mr. Tri Tharyat.  END