PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR. — PHILIPPINE STAR/NOEL PABALATE

PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday told newly appointed ambassadors from Colombia, Ukraine, and Cambodia to boost peace-building ties with their countries.

“I believe there’s more that we can do, that we can explore many other sectors, and strengthen and deepen the relations between our two countries,” he told Colombian Ambassador to the Philippines Edgar Rodrigo R. Garavito at the Malacañan Palace, based on a statement issued by the Presidential Communications Office on Wednesday.

The Colombian ambassador said his country eyes cooperating with the Philippines to ensure “lasting peace and development.”

Also on Tuesday, Mr. Marcos reiterated Manila’s support for all efforts for peace in Ukraine amid its war with Russia.

Ukrainian Ambassador to the Philippines Yuliia Oleksandrivna Fediv said her country seeks to develop bilateral relations with the Philippines on “collective efforts that promote peace, prosperity, and mutual respect across borders.”

“We hope to continue — we will always support you in your efforts for peace,” the President said to the Ukrainian envoy. “And we are very happy to welcome you here and to be able to have conversations with you as to what else we in the Philippines, though far away, might be able to do to help our quest for peace.”

He also told Cambodian Ambassador to the Philippines Sin Saream that Manila is keen on stronger relations with Phnom Penh.

“I welcome you to the Philippines and I look forward to even stronger relationships between our two countries, to strengthen what is already a very strong union between our two countries,” Mr. Marcos told the Cambodian diplomat. — John Victor D. Ordoñez