New Brunei GPH-MILF peace monitors arrive

A new contingent from Brunei has joined the International Monitoring Team which sustains the ceasefire between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mindanao.

 

The Brunei contingent, its ninth since Brunei joined the IMT, arrived in Cotabato City last Sept. 8 for its yearlong tour of duty, the MILF said late Tuesday.

 

"This ninth batch is also composed of nine distinguished officers selected from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and Royal Brunei Police being headed by Lt. Col. Spry Bin Hji Serudi," the MILF said on its website.

 

Serudi is the first Navy Officer to Head the Brunei IMT contingent, which replaces the batch headed by Lt. Col. Mohammad Ismaon Bin Hj Zainie.

 

IMT head of mission Maj. Gen. Datuk Abdulrahim Bin Yusuff welcomed the new Brunei contingent upon its arrival at the Awang Airport in Maguindanao.

 

Led by Malaysia, the International Monitoring Team monitors the implementation of a peace agreement between the government and the MILF.

 

The IMT presently has 19 officers from Malaysia, 15 from Brunei, two from Japan, two from Norway, two sponsored by the European Union (EU), and 15 from Indonesia.

 

Brig. Gen. Gilberto Jose Roa and Said Shiek, Chairmen of the government's and MILF's Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities, gave their full support and cooperation for Serudi and the new contingent.

 

Roa and Shiek also thanked the Brunei government for its strong support for the peace process.

 

Earlier, Brunei Ambassador to the Philippines Malai Halimah Yussof had reaffirmed Brunei's commitment to the peace process during a farewell ceremony for the outgoing Brunei contingent.

 

“The government of Brunei and His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah will continue to strongly support the peace process in Mindanao, and we are confident that a peace deal will be achieved by the government and MILF over the negotiating table sooner than later,” the MILF quoted her as saying. — DVM/KG, GMA News