BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei Darussalam, Thursday, 25 August 2022 – The 3rd Brunei-Philippines Army Working Group (AWG) meeting between the Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF) and the Philippine Army (PA) was held successfully in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam from 22 to 25 August 2022. The AWG is an annual activity hosted by both countries on an alternate basis.
The Philippine Army delegation was headed by Colonel Benjamin L Leander, Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans G5. Joining him were Lieutenant Colonel Ricardo F Sideňo, Chief MEB, OIMA, PA; Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Borras, Chief IIB, OIMA, PA; and Major Gemma DV Dalid, Chief, IAB, OG5, PA.
The Royal Brunei Land Force was headed by Lieutenant Colonel Pengiran Mohamed Sufri bin Pengiran Haji Rosli, Chief of Staff. With him were: Lieutenant Colonel Hj Mohammed Airul Wizam, CO SOI; Lieutenant Colonel (U) Peter, CI, DA RBAF; Major Mohammad Khairol Hadizam, ACOS G2 RBLF; Major Khairul Azme, SO2 G7; Major Mohamad Faizal, G3 SF RBAF and Lt Nur Amalina Syahirah, SO3 G7.
The Brunei-Philippines Army Working Group was initiated with the signing of the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the working group on 13 November 2019 during the visit to the Philippines of Brigadier General Dato Seri Pahlawan Awang Khairul Hamed bin Awang Haji Lampoh, the former Commander of the Royal Brunei Land. The 2nd AWG meeting was held virtually in March last year due to the COVID-19 restrictions. The AWG is the venue where the two land forces discuss different defense cooperation activities such as exchange of visits, training cooperation, subject matter expert exchanges as well as intelligence exchange in order to strengthen and further enhance the relationship between the two armies.
The 3rd AWG began with opening remarks from the co-chairmen, Colonel Benjamin L Leander and Lieutenant Colonel Pengiran Mohamed Sufri bin Pengiran Haji Rosli. The agenda continued with the review of the 2nd AWG minutes and subsequent discussion on the different planned activities for CY 2023. The meeting concluded with closing remarks from both co-chairmen, an exchange of plaques, and a group photo.
“Despite the limitations posed by the pandemic, our partnership enabled us to further strengthen bilateral relations and collaborate on various joint undertakings that shall contribute to the building blocks that underpin the foundation of our partnership,” stated Colonel Leander during his remarks.
The Philippine Army contingent visited the Training Simulation Center and the RBLF School of Infantry at Pananjong Garrison to be grounded on how the RBLF conducts their training. To cap the activities, the signing of the 3rd AWG minutes took place during an official dinner hosted by the RBLF at Tarindak D’Seni in Bandar Seri Begawan.
“We have demonstrated the maturity of our partnership in the quality of engagements that we have lined up and this validates the significance of this meeting which has provided us the opportunity for earnest consultation and make great strides in cultivating our partnership,” expressed Lieutenant Colonel Pengiran Mohamed Sufri to conclude the 3rd AWG. The 4th AWG will be held in Manila next year with the Philippine Army acting as the host.
The contingent also paid a courtesy call on Philippine Ambassador Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio where the Ambassador reiterated the Embassy’s support to engagements that would further strengthen the defense relations between the countries.END
