Ambassador Christopher B. Montero (seated 6th from left), together with RBAF Commander Major General Pengiran Dato Paduka Seri Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud (7th from left) and high officials from the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam posed with members of the 17th IMT contingent to Mindanao (standing). Photo Credit: Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam
22 OCTOBER 2020 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Christopher B. Montero attended the send-off ceremonies for Brunei’s 17th contingent to the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao held at the Bolkiah Garrison in Bandar Seri Begawan on 19 October 2020.
The ceremony was presided by Major General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat, the new Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF). Also present were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Shahril Anwar bin Haji Ma’awiah, the major service Commanders of the RBAF and the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBAF), and Hjh Kasmalati bin Hj Mohammad Kassim, Acting Director of the Department of East Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the ceremony, Major General Dato Hamzah presented the IMT badges to the members of the contingent, composed of eight (8) personnel from the RBAF and one (1) officer from the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF). Ambassador Montero personally conveyed his appreciation to each member of the contingent and wished them a safe and fruitful IMT mission in Mindanao.
“The deployment of the 17th IMT contingent of Brunei Darussalam demonstrates the firm commitment and unwavering support of the Government of His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam to the peace process in Southern Philippines, notwithstanding the difficult challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic,” Ambassador Montero said.
“The Philippine Government conveys its sincerest appreciation to His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam and the Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam for staying closely and actively engaged, and for their valuable contribution in the quest for lasting peace in Mindanao,” the Ambassador added.
The members of Brunei Darussalam’s IMT contingent left Brunei for Manila on 20 October 2020, and will proceed to Cotabato City where they will be stationed for one (1) year. The participation of Brunei in the IMT began in 2004 with Yang Berhormat Major General (Ret) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan, who is now Brunei’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports of Brunei, as Overall IMT Commander. END
Ambassador Montero (4th from left) witnesses the honors parade for the members of Brunei’s IMT contingent presided by RBAF Commander Major General Pengiran Dato Paduka Seri Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud (center). Photo Credit: Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam. 
The 9-member IMT contingent of Brunei Darussalam recite the Doa Salamat during the send-off ceremonies. Photo Credit: Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam. 
RBAF Commander Major General Pengiran Dato Paduka Seri Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud hands over the Bruneian flag to the Commander of Brunei’s IMT contingent. Photo Credit: Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam.
