Philippines, Brunei agree to enhance defense ties

Brunei Darussalam’s Second Minister of Defense Pehin Datu Lailaraja Maj. Gen. (ret) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof pays a courtesy call on Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana. /DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE

MANILA, Philippines — Top defense officials of the Philippines and Brunei have agreed to enhance bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation based on mutual interests.

Brunei Darussalam’s Second Minister of Defense Pehin Datu Lailaraja Maj. Gen. (ret) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof was in Manila last week at the invitation of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the Department of National Defense said in a statement Wednesday.

Lorenzana expressed his appreciation for Brunei’s support of maintaining peace and order in Mindanao through its contribution to the International Monitoring Board and the Independent Decommissioning Body. 

A separate statement from Brunei’s Ministry of Defense said both countries mutually reaffirmed the “excellent bilateral defense ties” and underscored their cooperation through multilateral engagements such as the Asean Defense Ministers’ Meeting and ADMM Plus.  

Pehin also traveled to Mindanao to visit the Grand Mosque and the International Monitoring Team Site 1 in Cotabato City, where it has personnel deployed to keep track of the peace process. 

Part of his activities from his August 27 to 30 visit include a meeting with Deputy National Security Adviser Rufino Lopez Jr. /kga