By Sahbirin Tarif
RIMBA, Thursday 17 May 2011 – Brunei Darussalam today continues their commitment to protect the ceasefire in Mindanao by deploying an additional of five Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) personnel and one Royal Brunei Police Force(RBPF) personnel to participate in the eighth group of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) to the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The Guest of Honour at this ceremony was the Acting Defence Minister, Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat who later was introduced to the personnel and also attached armbands on each of the RBAF personnel.
The 8th contingent is led by 440 Major(U) Pg Jufry bin Pg Haji Jaludin composed of 669 Captain Masmun bin Haji Kassim; Superintendant Matusin bin Haji Jumat; 9115 WO2 Mohd Suhaimi bin Sungkai; 9445 WO2 Kamarul Nisa bin Abdullah and 10944 WO2 Pg Kamal Ariffin bin Pg Mohd.
The 8th contingent witness the first time participation from Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF). Similar like previous duty, the six IMT personnel will form one mobile team and will be located at Cotabato City where they will be responsible in observing and monitoring the implementation of cessation of hostilities, as well as the socio-economic development aspects of agreements signed between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the MILF.
This overseas operation is another milestone to Brunei Darussalam's continuous commitment in contributing towards regional cooperation in supporting the peace and stability of neighbouring states. This involvement will give opportunities to the RBAF personnel in acquiring the much-needed experiences and exposures in overseas missions.
Present at the departing ceremony were the Commander of RBAF, Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, Commissioner of Police, Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Pendikar Alam Dato Paduka Seri Haji Hasrin bin Dato Paduka Haji Sabtu, His Excellency the Ambassador of Republic of the Philippines, Permanent Secretaries, Deputy Commander of RBAF, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Service Commanders and Commandants, Directors and other senior officers of the Ministry of Defence, RBAF and Royal Brunei Police Force as well as families of the departing personnel.