Prabowo Sets Foot in the Philippines: What Are His Agendas?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has embarked on another overseas trip. This time, Prabowo is visiting the Philippines to attend the 48th ASEAN Summit, scheduled for 7-8 May 2026.

Upon arriving at Benito Ebuen Airbase in Cebu, Philippines, on Thursday (7/5/2026), Prabowo was accompanied by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia and Deputy Cabinet Secretary Lieutenant Colonel TNI Teddy Indra Wijaya.

As he landed, Prabowo was greeted with traditional Filipino dances accompanied by a marching band and an honour guard lined up neatly in full uniform and official regalia.

Notably, Prabowo was picked up by the Maung MV3 Garuda Limousine, the vehicle he typically uses in Indonesia.

This marks the first time Prabowo has ridden a domestically produced vehicle during an overseas visit.

Prabowo had the opportunity to deliver his speech at the Special Summit of the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Prabowo highlighted energy resilience as a major urgent challenge that must be addressed collectively.

Prabowo stated that escalating global pressures, along with geopolitical instability in the Middle East, have transformed energy issues from a long-term challenge into an immediate necessity that requires prompt response.

“Energy resilience is one of the important issues we face today. With increasing global pressures and instability in the Middle East, this is no longer a long-term problem, but an urgent one,” said Prabowo.

According to him, hydropower, solar power, wind power, and fertile lands in the BIMP-EAGA region have yet to be optimally utilised.

Prabowo then questioned the readiness of member countries to harness these potentials to meet regional needs while supporting ASEAN’s energy transition.

“The question is whether we are ready to act on these potentials. Not only to meet our subregional needs, but also to contribute to ASEAN’s energy transition,” he said.

Furthermore, Prabowo encouraged concrete steps to accelerate the development of clean energy in the region.