HUMINGI ng tulong si Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. Brunei Darussalam para kontrahin ang mapangahas na ekstremismo sa bansa pamamagitan ng ‘Islamic education initiatives.’
Inihayag ito ni Teodoro sa isinagawang introductory call ni Brunei Darussalam’s new defense attaché, Lt. Col. Suzana Binti Haji Antin, sa Department of National Defense (DND) headquarters sa Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, araw ng Miyerkules.
“In line with the efforts to maintain stability and spur development over the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Secretary Teodoro enjoined Brunei Darussalam to provide education opportunities for Imams in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, who are developing their individual capacities on the correct interpretation of the Holy Qu’ran, counter-radicalization, and violent extremism in the country,” ayon kay DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong.
Binigyang diin pa rin ni Andolong na isa ito sa mga paraan upang ang Sultanate ay kumapit bilang “as an exporter of religious scholarship on the basis of non-violence, peace and stability,” na itinali sa ilalim ng konsepto ng “Darussalam” (Abode of Peace).
“Following the state visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Secretary Teodoro recalled the crucial role of Brunei Darussalam towards the attainment of lasting peace and prosperity in Mindanao,” aniya pa rin.
Ibinahagi naman ni Teodoro ang kasalukuyang implementasyon ng Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) ng DND kung saan nakabalangkas ang ‘strategic shift’ ng bansa sa external defense.
“The Defense Secretary saw the opportunity to establish linkages between the cyber defense institutions and defense industries of the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam, and collaborate in strengthening interoperability and overall capabilities of the militaries of the two countries,” ang pahayag ni Andolong.
Bilang founding members ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ang Pilipinas at Brunei Darussalam ay committed na magtulungan para sa promosyon ng “regional peace at security, at mapayapang resolusyon sa pagkakaiba ng hangarin ng ASEAN Centrality.
Kapuwa naman ginunita ng dalawang bansa ang 40th anniversary ng pagkakatalaga ng diplomatic relations ngayong taon. Kris Jose
