July 10, 2023 (Quezon City) | Secretary of National Defense (SND) Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., received H.E Megawati Manan, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Philippines, during the Ambassador’s introductory call at the DND.

The two officials welcomed the close defense relations between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam, as manifested during the official visit to Brunei Darussalam of former SND Delfin N. Lorenzana last year, and the dialogue mechanisms and initiatives under the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM).

Under the implementation of the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam on Defense Cooperation, Secretary Teodoro expressed his appreciation to Brunei Darussalam for inviting pilots from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to the Simulator Training for the S-70i Black Hawk aircraft.

Secretary Teodoro also emphasized Brunei Darussalam’s significant contribution to the Mindanao peace process, particularly in the previous assignment of military personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) to the International Monitoring Team (IMT), and the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB).

With the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(BARMM), Secretary Teodoro enjoined Brunei Darussalam to assist in the development of the local economy and industries in Mindanao, such as in Islamic banking and investments, and strengthening of Islamic literacy for Filipino Ulama (Muslim scholars/clerics).

Stressing the role of Brunei Darussalam on Islamic education, Secretary Teodoro underscored the need to enhance Islamic literacy to avoid misinterpretations and possible radicalization. Ambassador Mana reassured Brunei Darussalam’s continuous economic support to Mindanao and welcomed the proposal in improving Islamic literacy in the Philippines as a way to counter regional terrorism and violent extremism.