By Monsi A. Serrano
Despite the disruption of monsoon rains and typhoons, Indonesia and the Philippines pushed through with their bilateral dialogue this week, demonstrating the strength of their partnership and shared responsibility for regional legal and humanitarian challenges.
Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra met with Philippine Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla in Makati to discuss key issues ranging from stateless persons and inmate repatriation to transnational crime and Islamic economic cooperation.
“This meeting reflects not only the enduring friendship between Indonesia and the Philippines but also our shared responsibility in ensuring justice, compassion, and cooperation across borders,” said Minister Yusril, who serves in the cabinet of President Prabowo Subianto.
Here are four major takeaways from the dialogue:
1. Resolving statelessness: A human rights-based approach
In what could become a regional model for resolving statelessness, Minister Yusril announced that Indonesia has formed an Inter-Ministerial Task Force to regularize the legal status of persons of Philippine descent (PPDs) living in Indonesia. This includes providing official documents such as birth and marriage certificates, immigration permits, and ID cards—all at no cost and anchored in a human-rights-based framework.
Indonesia has introduced the formal designation Registered Philippine Nationals (RPNs) for Filipinos confirmed by Philippine authorities. In turn, Minister Yusril urged the Philippines to speed up the process for more than 5,000 persons of Indonesian descent (PIDs) in Mindanao and neighboring regions. He proposed the creation of a bilateral technical working group to verify identities, issue legal documentation, and ensure no one is left stateless.
2. Mary Jane Veloso and legal diplomacy: A repatriation model
The repatriation of Filipina Mary Jane Veloso in December 2024 was hailed by Minister Yusril as a “milestone in legal and humanitarian diplomacy.”
Veloso, initially sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug trafficking, was allowed to serve her sentence in the Philippines under a special bilateral arrangement that respected Indonesia’s judicial decisions while upholding humanitarian principles.
Yusril also referenced the Serge Atlaoui case—another example of cross-border legal cooperation—emphasizing Indonesia’s respect for the legal sovereignty of its partners. The Indonesian minister expressed willingness to engage in talks on transferring three Filipino inmates currently serving life sentences for drug offenses, potentially under a Transfer of Sentenced Persons (TSP) agreement. In return, Jakarta is seeking the repatriation of five Indonesian detainees held in the Philippines.
3. Joint fight against transnational crime
In light of growing cross-border threats, Minister Yusril called for expanded Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) between the two countries. He cited urgent areas of cooperation such as narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, and online gambling.
The Indonesian official welcomed Manila’s move to shut down Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) by the end of 2024—a move that complements Jakarta’s campaign against gambling-related social harm. Yusril proposed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the law enforcement agencies of both countries to institutionalize cooperation.
4. Islamic finance: A new avenue for collaboration
Recognizing the potential for inclusive economic development, Minister Yusril proposed joint initiatives in Islamic finance. He invited Philippine institutions to explore Indonesia’s experience in developing sharia-compliant banking systems and capital markets. He also offered knowledge-sharing opportunities, regulator-level dialogues, and technical exchanges.
A ‘substantive and forward-looking’ partnership
The dialogue concluded with a shared commitment to deepen cooperation through technical working groups, formal legal instruments, and mutual respect.
“Through sincere partnership and mutual respect, we can provide justice to individuals, security to our societies, and a model of regional collaboration rooted in compassion,” Minister Yusril said.
Secretary Remulla echoed this sentiment, telling THEPHILBIZNEWS: “We share a bond beyond diplomacy—we are brothers at sea. Our people, history, and values are deeply interlinked. We hope for a more fluid and collaborative approach to addressing regional concerns.”
As both nations face rising transnational challenges, the high-level meeting affirmed that concrete cooperation—not just good intentions—is key to delivering justice and preserving dignity across the region.
