Brunei, Philippines enhance military cooperation

A group photo taken at the residence of the Philippine
Ambassador during a dinner reception.

A group photo taken at the residence of the Philippine Ambassador during a dinner reception. The military and defence cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and the Philippines has been enhanced after the first ever joint naval exercise between the Philippine Navy and the Royal Brunei Navy codenamed 'Exercise Seagull 01-03' was held and also with a series of

visits made by senior officials of the Philippine Armed Forces to the country last month.

The week-long naval exercise involved two hundred Philippine and Brunei Navy men in a series of activities and exercises to enhance operational, procedural and tactical cooperation.

Meetings and discussions were also held among the Action Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy, Lt. Col. Hj Joharie, the Deputy Commander Task Group, Capt. Vicente M. Agdamag, and Capt. George T. Uy of the Philippine Navy and their respective officials.

Senior officials of the Philippine Armed Forces also made visits to the country. They were the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, Lt. General Gregorio Camiling, the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, Lt. General Nestor Santillan.

The Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, Ms Virginia H. Benavidez hosted dinners and luncheon in honour of the Filipino and Brunei Defence and Armed Forces officials at her official residence in the capital.

As a result of these series of visits, it is expected that important follow-up activities between the two armed forces will be held within this year.

These include training exercises and exchange of visitations at the staff level of the three services of the armed forces of both countries.

The major impetus to advance Philippine-Brunei cooperation in these crucial areas was provided by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when they met in Manila during His Majesty's state visit to the country in January this year as well as with a MoU on Defence Cooperation signed between the two countries in August, 2001.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin