Bandar Seri Begawan - The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBAF) is sending an officer, ASP Pg Muhaimin bin Pg Hj Mustafa, to be part of the 9th International Monitoring Team (IMT) to help with monitoring the implementation of a peace agreement in several areas in Mindanao, the Philippines.

ASP Pg Muhaimin is the second Royal Brunei Police officer to be sent for the International Monitoring Team (IMT) mission, after Supt Matusin bin Haji Jumat, who has been in the Philippines together with the IMT team since May 2012.

With ASP Pg Muhaimin set to leave Brunei tomorrow, the RBPF yesterday held a doa selamat and Hajat prayer at the Police Headquarters in Gadong.

The event was attended by Commissioner of Police cum guest of honour Pehin Orang Kaya Pendikar Alam Dato Paduka Seri Haji Hasrin bin Dato Paduka Haji Sabtu, Deputy Commissioner Dato Seri Pahlawan Awg Bahrin bin Mohd Noor, department directors, deputy directors, heads of unit as well as other staff

Speaking to the Bulletin, ASP Pg Muhaimin said, "This is the 9th IMT, which means this is the ninth group to be sent to the Philippines. The Royal Police Force has been given the honour to participate in the mission. The mission will take 12 months."

"Basically, what we will do overall during the mission is monitor the peace process between the government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"We will team up with the main contingent (Malaysia) which will lead the mission. We will report to the Malaysian contingent over there," he said, adding they will be given five locations, which will include Davao and Zambuanga.

"I am very proud to be part of the contingent. I will carry out my duties and responsibilities as best I can. But at the same time, I am sad because I have to leave my family here in Brunei. But off course, as a Royal Brunei Police officer, this task is of top pridrity," he added.

Among the roles and responsibilities of the International Monitoring Team is to monitor the peace process, public security and social-economic aspects that have been agreed upon by the Philippine government.

Additionally, the team also plays a role in 'conflict management,' which is to prevent any incident from escalating into a conflict.

Presently, IMT comprises of over 40 equally distinguished military, police and civilian officers from the governments of Malaysia, Brunei, Libya, Japan, Norway, European Union and hundreds of civilian protection workers from non-government organisation members representing the Belgium-based Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), Mindanao Human Rights Actions Center (MinHRAC), Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC), Moslem Organisation of Government Employees as Professionals (MOGOP).