02 November 2016 – Undersecretary for Defense Policy Ricardo A. David, Jr. and other officials from the Department of National Defense (DND) undertook an official visit to Brunei Darussalam to attend the 8th Philippines–Brunei Darussalam Joint Defense Working Committee (JDWC) Meeting held at the Officers’ Mess of the Bolkiah Garrison, Ministry of Defense (MinDef) on October 19 to 21.
During the JDWC Meeting, which was co-chaired by Undersecretary David for the Philippines and Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah binti Haji Umar, Permanent Secretary at the MinDef, for Brunei, agenda items that were discussed included both countries’ regional security outlook; initiatives within the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)/ADMM-Plus and other ASEAN regional mechanisms; the peace process in Mindanao; Philippines-Brunei defense cooperation; and the proposed Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) between the two countries.
Members of the Philippine delegation accompanying Undersecretary David during the meeting included, among others, Prof. Raymund Jose G. Quilop, Assistant Secretary for Assessments and International Affairs, DND; Atty. Ronald Patrick Rubin, Director IV, Chief–Internal Audit Service/Legal Adviser, DND; Col. Bonifacio B. Cebrian PA, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); Col. Romeo M. Basco, Executive Officer, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Training, AFP; Mr. Melvin C. Almonguera, Second Secretary and Consul, Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam (Brunei PE); Col. Ernest Mark P. Rosal, Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attaché (PhilDAFA), Brunei PE; T/Sgt. Isidro M. Diola, Jr., Administrative Assistant, Office of the PhilDAFA, Brunei PE; Ms. Meisha Marie C. Espino, Defense Research Officer, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Assessments and International Affairs, DND; and Mr. Frederick A. Rili, Political/Economic Assistant, of the Philippine Embassy in Brunei.
Following the JDWC Meeting, Undersecretary David and members of the Philippine delegation paid a courtesy call on First Admiral (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit, Deputy Minister of Defence of Brunei Darussalam, at the MinDef. During said call, both officials discussed issues of mutual concern, and expressed their satisfaction on the cordial bilateral defense relations between the Philippines and Brunei, as demonstrated by the frequent high level exchanges of visits and reciprocal participation in military courses offered by military establishments in both countries.
Prior to the JDWC Meeting proper on October 20, Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Meynardo LB. Montealegre hosted a dinner at his Official Residence in honor of the members of the Philippine delegation on October 20.
The Philippines has expressed its readiness to host the 9th JDWC Meeting in 2018 at a mutually-convenient date for both parties. END
