Philippines, Brunei forge pact on maritime cooperation

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – In his first trip to Brunei as head of state, President Marcos yesterday witnessed – along with his host Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah – the signing of a maritime cooperation agreement covering information and research sharing, pollution control and skills training, among others.

The memorandum of understanding on maritime cooperation was one of the four deals whose signing was witnessed by Marcos and Bolkiah. The other MOUs were on tourism, seafarers’ training and food security.

It was not clear if the signing of the MOU on maritime cooperation had anything to do with Marcos’ pre-departure statement that he would discuss with Bolkiah “ways for further cooperation with Brunei in ensuring the defense of our countries and of our region.”

The Philippines is embroiled in a dispute with China over maritime claims in the South China Sea.

The two Southeast Asian countries also forged MOUs on mutual recognition of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificates and on boosting tourism.

Also signed was a letter of intent to renew an MOU on food security and agricultural cooperation.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of the deals at Istana Nurul Iman, the Brunei leader’s official residence. It was one of the first events during Marcos’ two-day visit here.

“We hope to expand the partnerships that we have begun and we feel that there is much potential that we can examine,” Marcos said.

“I think the MOUs that are being signed today that we shall witness, Your Majesty, will be a very good start to once again re-energize, and I think the areas that we have talked about – that we have paid attention to for these MOUs are certainly rich with potential,” he added.

The Sultan cited the two countries’ stronger people-to-people exchanges and economic ties.

“I’m looking forward to further enhancing our friendship in areas of future interest, which I believe will greatly benefit our countries and people,” Bolkiah said.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the MOU on maritime cooperation is “crucial for maritime nations like the Philippines and Brunei.”

The MOU on the recognition of certificates issued under the provisions of