PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE — Brunei will increase its representatives to the international peace monitoring team in Mindanao, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos said yesterday.
He said Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, who is here for a state visit, gave this assurance during his bilateral talks with President Macapagal-Arroyo.
“Sabi nila they are prepared to increase the number of peace monitors from Brunei from I think now there are about 10, they can go up to about 30 ‘yun ang commitment,” Conejos said.
He said the additional Brunei contingent will arrive in the country as soon as the mandate of the IMT which expired last November 30 is renewed. He said the President asked for a bigger IMT contingent to support peace and development efforts in Mindanao.
Brunei along with Malaysia, Japan, members of the European Union and the United States are among the countries helping in the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The President had made known her resolve to make 2009 a “comeback year for peace, progress and prosperity in Mindanao.” She ordered the new peace panel led by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino “Sonny” Razon to immediately touch base with the facilitators and MILF leaders to resume peace negotiations.
Razon said the stalled peace talks may resume next month.