(Eagle News) — The Sultan of Brunei has expressed support for the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, as well as for President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war.

During his state visit Thursday, April 27, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Prime Minister of Brunei Darussalam, and Her Majesty Rajah Isteri Saleha, were both welcomed by President Duterte at the Malacañan Palace

This was the first state visit under President Duterte.

Sultan Bolkiah is one of 10 ASEAN leaders who will be participating in the historic 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings in Manila that coincide with the 50th year anniversary of the regional grouping.

“As close partners in ASEAN, we extend our full support for the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship, and look forward to a successful year under your leadership,” the 70-year old Brunei Sultan said.

“We will continue working closely particularly as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN this year. We will take this opportunity to reflect on our past achievements and share our views on the way forward for the future,” he stressed as he read his statement after witnessing the signing of various agreements between Brunei and the Philippines with President Duterte in Malacanang.

And amid the criticism that President Duterte’s drug war is getting from various human rights groups, the New York Times, and his local critics, Brunei’s Sultan Bolkiah said he is even looking forward to collaborating and helping the Philippines fight the drug war through “exchanges of expertise and best practices.”

“We also look forward to our future collaboration in addressing issues on drugs. We believe that both sides will benefit from the exchanges of expertise and best practices in this area,” the Sultan and incumbent Prime Minister of Brunei said.

He also underscored his country’s commitment to strengthen the cooperation and friendship with the Philippines — something which President Duterte said was very important.

Sultan Bolkiah thanked President Duterte for his “kind remarks and generous hospitality in accommodating my visit during your busy preparations for the ASEAN Summit.”

“It is a pleasure to be back in the Philippines to further strengthen our close bilateral relations,” he said.

The Brunei leader also expressed his appreciation for the contributions of the 23,000 Filipinos working and residing in Brunei.

“We are grateful for their contribution and continue to welcome them as close friends,” he said.

 

Enduring ties and special friendship

For President Duterte, Sultan Bolkiah’s state visit is “proof of the enduring ties and special friendship enjoyed by our nations and our people.”

“Our talks today were open and insightful. Once again His majesty has demonstrated that he is a true friend of the Philippines,” the 72-year old Philippine leader said.

“He deserves our utmost respect and admiration.”

Duterte said that the support of Sultan Bolkiah and of the other leaders of the ASEAN-member states for the Philippines’ chairmanship of ASEAN was “most crucial.”

He said it was important the whole of ASEAN is working on the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea.

Agreements on culture, trade and energy cooperation signed

President Duterte and Sultan Bolkiah witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Halal (food products prepared as prescribed by Muslim law) between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Energy and Industry Department at the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei Darussalam, in a ceremony at the Malacañan Palace on Thursday, April 27.

They also witnessed the signing of the MOU on Cultural Cooperation between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam.

Both leaders read their joint press statements for the Malacañang Press Corps and the international media right after the signing of the memoranda of agreement.

“With shared aspirations of achieving greater peace, progress and prosperity for our people, we agreed to further set-up collaborative efforts to achieve common goals,” President Duterte said during the reading of their joint press statement.

“We welcome intensified actions and exchanges between our governments and resort to utilize the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) mechanisms to chart future paths to review the progress that we have made,” he said.

Duterte said this “includes waging a committed and principled campaign against terrorism, violent extremism, and piracy at sea.”