President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expressed optimism that the new ambassadors of Colombia, Cambodia, and Ukraine to the Philippines would be instrumental in maintaining the three nations’ strong relations with Manila.

This, as Marcos received the credentials of Ambassadors Edgar Rodrigo Rojas Garavito of Colombia, Sin Saream of Cambodia, and Yuliia Oleksandrivna Fediv of Ukraine in separate ceremonies at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday.

“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,” Marcos told the Colombian ambassador, as quoted by the Presidential Communications Office in a news release on Wednesday.

Rojas Garavito said Colombia and the Philippines have a shared aspiration for “lasting peace and development.”

Formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Colombia were established on July 5, 1946.

Colombia is home to approximately 100 Filipinos.

Marcos also hoped to strengthen the Philippines’ bilateral ties with Cambodia, as he acknowledged that the two countries have a strong foundation.

“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,” he told Sin.

Sin assured Marcos of his commitment to further enhancing cooperation between Manila and Phnom Penh “for the mutual benefit and prosperity” of Filipinos and Cambodians.

The Philippines and Cambodia formally established diplomatic relations on Aug. 20, 1957.

As of June 2024, there are approximately 7,500 Filipinos in Cambodia.

Fediv also expressed her readiness to contribute to developing bilateral relations, particularly on collective efforts that promote “peace, prosperity, and mutual respect across borders.”

Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ unwavering support for all efforts to find just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

“We hope to continue – we will always support you in your efforts for peace. 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 said.

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Ukraine were established on April 7, 1992.

Around 24 Filipinos currently reside in Ukraine. (PNA)