Manila, June 12 -- King Mohammed VI of Morocco extended his greetings to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as the Philippines celebrates the 127th Independence Day on Thursday.

In a letter addressed to the chief executive, the Moroccan leader said he looks forward to the further growth of Philippine-Morocco relations in the years ahead.

"As the Republic of the Philippines commemorates its independence, it gives me great pleasure to send you my warmest congratulations and to wish your people further progress and prosperity," he wrote.

"I should like to say how satisfied I am with our steadily developing relations, which are rooted in friendship and cooperation. I look forward to continuing to work with Your Excellency to strengthen our ...