Brunei Darussalam Deploys 17th International Monitoring Team to Mindanao
Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Christopher B. Montero (seated, sixth from left), together with RBAF Commander Major General Pengiran Dato Paduka Seri Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud (seventh from left) and high officials from the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam pose with members of the 17th IMT contingent to Mindanao (standing). (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam)
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 23 OCTOBER 2020– Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Christopher B. Montero attended the send-off ceremonies for Brunei’s 17th contingent to the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao held at the Bolkiah Garrison in Bandar Seri Begawan on 19 October 2020.
The ceremony was presided over by Major General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat, the new Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF). Also present were the Ministry of Defense Permanent Secretary Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Shahril Anwar bin Haji Ma’awiah, the major service Commanders of the RBAF and the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBAF), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of East Asia Acting Director Hjh Kasmalati bin Hj Mohammad Kassim.
During the ceremony, Major General Dato Hamzah presented the IMT badges to the members of the contingent, composed of eight personnel from the RBAF and one officer from the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF). Ambassador Montero personally conveyed his appreciation to each member of the contingent and wished them a safe and fruitful IMT mission in Mindanao.
“The deployment of the 17th IMT contingent of Brunei Darussalam demonstrates the firm commitment and unwavering support of the Government of His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam to the peace process in Southern Philippines, notwithstanding the difficult challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic,” said Ambassador Montero.
“The Philippine Government conveys its sincerest appreciation to His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam and the Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam for staying closely and actively engaged, and for their valuable contribution in the quest for lasting peace in Mindanao,” added the Ambassador.
The members of Brunei Darussalam’s IMT contingent left Brunei for Manila on 20 October 2020, and will proceed to Cotabato City where they will be stationed for one year. The participation of Brunei in the IMT began in 2004 with Yang Berhormat Major General (Ret) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan, who is now Brunei’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports of Brunei, as Overall IMT Commander.
Aside from the IMT, Brunei Darussalam has also deployed a four-member team to the International Decommissioning Body (IDB) that oversees the process of decommissioning of MILF forces and weapons, a key component of the normalization structure in accordance with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. END
Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Christopher B. Montero (fourth from left) witnesses the honors parade for the members of Brunei’s IMT contingent presided by RBAF Commander Major General Pengiran Dato Paduka Seri Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud (center). (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam)
The nine-member IMT contingent of Brunei Darussalam recite the Doa Salamat during the send-off ceremonies. (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam)
RBAF Commander Major General Pengiran Dato Paduka Seri Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud hands over the Bruneian flag to the Commander of Brunei’s IMT contingent. (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam)
For more information, visit https://www.bruneipe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassybrunei.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBrunei/.