Villamor Air Base, Pasay City
May 28, 2024
“Babaunin ko ang aking tungkulin at pangako na lalo pang palakasin ang ating pagkakaibigan at pagtutulungan ng ating bansa sa ibang bansa kagaya ng Brunei Darussalam,” said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. when he delivered his departure statement at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
The President left the country for his first State Visit to Brunei Darussalam, followed by a Working Visit to Singapore for the 21st International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue on 28-31 May 2024.
During his State Visit, the President is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah to review the progress of bilateral cooperation, explore new mutually beneficial partnerships and deepen the bonds of friendship between the Philippines and Brunei.
In his speech, he emphasized that Brunei has always been an important partner of the country, especially in terms of defense cooperation. “So, during my trip, I will discuss with His Majesty ways for further cooperation with Brunei in ensuring the defense of our countries and region,” he said.
As the Philippines’ tourism industry continues to be among the key drivers of economic growth, President Marcos Jr. is likewise expected to sign the Philippines-Brunei Darussalam Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tourism Cooperation, aiming to further boost Bruneians’ interest to visit the Philippines.
“These are also among the key priorities borne from the successful convening of the 3rd Philippines-Brunei Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation which is held last August 2023… I am confident that our partnership with Brunei in these important sectors will further bolster our political, economic and people-to-people ties,” the Chief Executive remarked.
“Tomorrow, I will engage the business communities in the Sultanate and highlight the Philippines, as one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, as the best choice of investments,” he continued, expressing optimism towards securing more investments from this visit, which is seen to generate more jobs, contribute to poverty alleviation and accelerate the economic transformation of the country.
As he proceeds to Singapore, President Marcos Jr. will deliver a keynote address at the opening of the 21st IISS Shangri-La Dialogue — Asia’s premier defense summit.
“ [I will] articulate the Philippines’ perspectives and outlook on defense and diplomacy while highlighting the Philippines’ commitment to a rules-based international order and constructive multilateralism amidst the current geopolitical challenges that we [are] facing in our region,” he remarked.
He highlighted that his Working Visit to Singapore is part of a series of high-level exchanges between the Philippines and the said nation that began at the start of the year.
“Hangad ko po na sa aking pag-uwi rito ay may hatid kaming pasalubong na magandang balita mula sa aming pagbisita sa Brunei at Singapore,” President Marcos Jr. ended in his speech.
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