Brunei military chief visits peacekeepers in Mindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 13): Brunei military chief visits peacekeepers in Mindanao

A ranking military official of the Brunei military on Friday visited its forces in Mindanao who have been serving as international monitoring of the Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front ceasefire agreement, officials said Sunday.

Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Commander Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Seri Pahlawan Md Tawih Abdullah paid an operational visit to Cotabato City over the weekend and met with Brunei personnel involved in the ongoing Mindanao peace-keeping mission,

In a statement, the Brunei Royal Armed Forces said the visit was part of the commander’s introductory visit.

Accompanying Gen. Abdullah in his visit were Commissioner Dato Seri Pahlawan Awg Bahrin Md Noor, comissioner of Royal Brunei Police Forces (RBFP) as well as senior officers from both the RBAF and RBPF.

Upon arrival at the Awang Airport in Maguindanao, the Brunei military officials were met by Philippine Major General Edmundo Pangilinan, chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and Brunei Team Site Leader, Lieutenant Colonel Khairil Hj Ismail.

Gen. Abdullah said the visit was aimed to enhance defense cooperation in existing fields and to strengthen relations between both nations.

Brunei Darussalam had been a long-time partner of the Philippines in seeking peace in troubled Mindanao region.

It also extended various peace and development assistance in Muslim Mindanao region, including the Grand Mosque in Cotabato City which was a “gift” of Sultan Bolkiah of Brunei.

After military honors, the Brueni military delegation proceeded to tour the Grand Mosque in the outskirts of Cotabato City where they performed Zohor prayer in congregation with the Grand Mosque’s Committee.

It was highlighted by the presentation of copies of the Al-Quran ‘Mushaf Al-WathiqBillah’ as a special gift from His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and the Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the distribution of dates to Muslim residents in connection with the holy month of Ramadhan 1435 Hijrah.

Gen. Abdullah delegation then proceeded to the International Monitoring Team (IMT) Headquarters in Cotabato City, where they were received by Malaysia IMT Head of Mission Major General Dato’ Abd Samad Hj Yaakub, Brunei IMT members and international members.

The Head of the IMT presented the monitoring assignment and situationer of the implementation of the GPH-MILF peace process.

Gen. Abdullah and his team also visited Team Site I Headquarters, where the delegation was briefed on recent developments of the IMT assignment – particularly those involving RBAF personnel.

Brunei has about a dozen police and military personnel serving in the IMT which is led by Malaysian military.

After sharing of information on the Mindanao peace and orde situation and the update on peace monitoring, the Brunei delegation handed over to IMT officers and personnel a personal gift from His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and the Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and Aidilfitri goodies from the RBAF Wives Welfare Committee.

Brunei and Malaysia are two leading Muslim countries helping the GPH and MILF attain peace in Mindanao.

Deployed in 2003, the Brunei and Malaysian unarmed military and police personnel have greately helped in preventing skrirmishes between Moro rebels and government forces.

Gen. Abdullah told Philippine military officials that his government will continue to provide assistance to ensure the success of the Mindanao peace process.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=662083