Ambassador Christopher B. Montero (seated 7th from left), together with RBAF Commander Major General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat (8th from left) and high officials from the Ministry of Defence, with the members of Brunei’s 3rd IDB-VMAT contingent to Mindanao (standing). Photo Credit: Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam.
18 FEBRUARY 2021 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – A four-member contingent from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) left for Manila early this week to join the International Decommissioning Body Verification and Monitoring Assistance Teams (IDB-VMAT) for the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in Southern Philippines.
Philippine Ambassador Christopher B. Montero attended the send-off ceremonies for the contingent held at the Bolkiah Garrison in Bandar Seri Begawan on 15 February 20201.
The ceremony was presided by Major General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF). Also present were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and the other Commanders of the major services of RBAF.
During the ceremony, Major General Dato Hamzah presented the IDB-VMAT badges to the four (4) members of the contingent.
Ambassador Montero personally conveyed his appreciation to each member of the contingent and wished them a safe and fruitful mission in Mindanao.
“The deployment of the 3rd IDB-VAMT contingent of Brunei Darussalam demonstrates the strong commitment and 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 deepest appreciation to His Majesty the Sultan and the Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam for its continuing active engagement and 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 16 February 2021, and after undergoing health-related arrival protocols, will proceed to Cotabato City where they will be stationed for one (1) year.
The International Decommissioning Body (IDB) oversees the process of decommissioning of forces and weapons, a key component of the normalization structure in accordance with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. END
Ambassador Montero conveys his wishes for a safe and fruitful mission to the members of the Brunei contingent to the IDB-VMAT. (Brunei PE photo). 
RBAF Commander Major General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat hands over the Bruneian flag to the Commander of Brunei’s IDB-VMAT contingent. Photo Credit: Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam.
