Photo credit: PCO

In a significant diplomatic move, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines and His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam have committed to endorsing peaceful resolutions to any conflicts between their nations and within the Indo-Pacific region. The agreement, reached during President Marcos's inaugural state visit to Brunei, underscores the shared commitment to upholding the international rules-based order amid escalating tensions.

During an interview with the Philippine media delegation in Brunei, President Marcos highlighted the pivotal discussions held with Sultan Bolkiah, particularly emphasizing maritime cooperation between their respective nations. The talks centered on bolstering partnerships and optimizing processes within the Brunei Darussalam Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), with a strong emphasis on trade relations.

While diplomatic discussions touched on various facets of cooperation, including defense, President Marcos clarified that the primary focus remained on fostering mutual understanding and endorsing peaceful conflict resolutions. The culmination of these efforts was witnessed through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on maritime cooperation, signaling a commitment to collaborative efforts encompassing pollution control, skills training, research, and information sharing.

Moreover, the state visit witnessed the signing of two additional MOUs aimed at enhancing tourism cooperation and facilitating mutual recognition of Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificates between the Philippines and Brunei. A letter of intent was also exchanged to renew the memorandum of understanding on food security and agricultural cooperation, further solidifying the multifaceted partnership between the two nations.

President Marcos's successful state visit to Brunei sets the stage for a forthcoming working visit to Singapore, where he is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue. Reflecting on the significance of the visit, President Marcos expressed optimism regarding its potential to generate tens of thousands of job opportunities within the Philippines, underlining the broader economic implications of strengthened regional cooperation.