Marcos recognizes Malaysia, Brunei peace efforts

PRESIDENT FERDINAND Marcos Jr. again thanked Malaysia and also Brunei for bringing stability in Mindanao, saying he remains hopeful that the country’s two Southeast Asian neighbors will continue supporting the region’s development initiatives to uplift the living condition of its people.

“We have to thank Brunei for the assistance and support that we have been receiving in southern Philippines, in the Muslim Autonomous Region, which have been big factor in what we think is going to be a successful Autonomous Region,” Marcos said as he welcomed Brunei’s Ambassador Megawati Dato Paduka Haji Manan in Malacanang Palace recently.

“So again, I hope that Brunei continues to give our Muslim community in the Southern Philippines whatever opportunities are available because that is the best way to assert that having peace is to give a good life to the people, a life that they would like to deserve,” he said.

The approach that the government has taken is the best formula: by bringing as much development as quickly as possible in the area that will increase economic activity so people will have good living conditions and all the essentials to turn them away from fighting and the secessionist activity, Marcos said.

Manan, in response to Marcos, said it would certainly be Brunei’s direction — to increase the level of cooperation with the southern region as well because Brunei knows there are certain commonalities.

“And so we hope that we will branch out, you know, expand the existing cooperation to give some – a little bit more opportunities for the south side. As Mr. President is saying, give them more opportunities so that they’ll feel that they’re more empowered in terms of uplifting their lives as well,” Manan said.

Both Marcos and Manan also underscored the importance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in resolving regional concerns such as the South China Sea issue and the civil unrest in Myanmar.

Marcos said although its members sometimes differ in certain areas for the most part, in essence, idea and concept, they agree that the ASEAN still remains the “most important mover for all of what we attempt diplomatically in terms of the conflicts that we are seeing.”

He also welcomed Malaysian Ambassador Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Bin Anthony who presented his credentials.

Marcos said he recognized Kuala Lumpur’s role in bringing peace to the Southern Philippines, expecting it to continue participating in the development of the Bangsamoro region.

“It’s going to be very, very important because as long as we can provide… One of the complaints over the many, many years from the Muslim community in the Philippines was that they are underrepresented and underdeveloped. And they were absolutely right. So we are trying to fix that. We are trying to return a balance,” Marcos said.

The Malaysian ambassador said as the region gains stability, he believes that what Malaysia has done so far will sustain the progress of Mindanao.

Brunei and Malaysia were also part of an international peace keeping force in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)