RIMBA, Friday 16 September 2016 – The Brunei Darussalam’s contingent under the 12th International Monitoring Team (IMT-12) safely returned to Brunei Darussalam after successfully completing their tour of duty in Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines.
A welcoming ceremony was held today for the eight Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) personnel and one from the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF). The 12th IMT that was led by Lieutenant Colonel Azman bin Haji Bangkol.
The Commander of the RBAF, Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih bin Abdullah, the Commissioner of RBPF, Dato Paduka Seri Hj Mohd Jammy bin Haji Muhd Shah Al Islam and Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah binti Haji Umar, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence together with the family members of 12th IMT were at the Rimba Air Force Base to welcome the team.
Also present were the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Philippines to Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Meynardo LB. Montealegre; a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam; a representative from the High Commission of Malaysia in Brunei Darussalam; Commander of Royal Brunei Air Force, Service Commanders representatives, military and civilian Directors at the Ministry of Defence, and Commandants.
At a separate event prior to the contingent’s flight home, a handover ceremony between the 12th IMT and 13th IMT was held at the IMT Headquarters, Cotabato City, Mindanao, witnessed by Deputy Head of Mission Brigadier General Datu Haji Sanusi Bin Haji Samion. On the same day, the outgoing IMT-12 members also received medals from the Government of the Republic of the Philippines for their invaluable service in the IMT, serving the people of Mindanao and the Philippines for their success in maintaining peace.
The medals were presented by Colonel Falimon T Santos, Assistant Commanding General, 6 ID Armed Forces of the Phillippine. The team also made a farewell call to Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, Chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at Camp Darapanan, Maguindanao on 15 September 2016. During the call the Chairman expressed his highest appreciation to the Government Brunei Darussalam for the continuous commitment since 2004.
PASUKAN PEMANTAU ANTARABANGSA KE-12 NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM PULANG KE TANAH AIR
RIMBA, Jumaat 16 September 2016 – Pasukan Pemantau Antarabangsa Negara Brunei Darussalam (IMT) yang ke-12 telah selamat pulang ke Negara Brunei Darussalam setelah selesai menjalankan tugas di Mindanao, Republik Filipina. Satu majlis telah diadakan bagi mengalu-alukan kepulangan lapan anggota ABDB dan seorang anggota Polis Diraja Brunei (PDB). Kontinjen IMT-12 Negara Brunei Darussalam ini diketuai oleh Leftenan Kolonel Azman bin Haji Bangkol.
Pemerintah ABDB, Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Mejar Jeneral Dato Seri Pahlawan Mohd Tawih bin Abdullah, Pesuruhjaya Polis, Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Mohd. Jammy bin Haji Muhd. Shah Al-Islam dan Setiausaha Tetap Kementerian Pertahanan, Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah binti Haji Umar beserta ahli keluarga anggota IMT ke 12 menyambut ketibaan mereka di Pangkalan Tentera Udara Rimba.
Turut hadir ialah Duta Besar Istimewa dan Mutlak Republik Filipina, Tuan Yang Terutama Meynardo LB. Montealegre; wakil daripada Kementerian Hal Ehwal Luar Negeri dan Perdagangan Negara Brunei Darussalam; wakil daripada Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Malaysia ke Negara Brunei Darussalam; Pemerintah Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei, wakil Pemerintah-Pemerintah Angkatan Tentera, Pengarah-Pengarah Tentera dan Awam Kementerian Pertahanan, dan Komandan-Komandan.
Di acara berasingan sebelum penerbangan balik kontinjen, satu majlis penyerahan tugas di antara pasukan-pasukan IMT ke 12 dan IMT ke 13 telah diadakan di Pusat IMT, Cotabato City, Mindanao yang disaksikan oleh Brigedier Jeneral Haji Sanusi bin Haji Samion, Timbalan Ketua Misi IMT. Pada hari yang sama, anggota-anggota pasukan IMT-12 telah pun menerima pingat daripada Kerajaan Republik Filipina di atas perkhidmatan mereka yang tidak ternilai yang mereka diberikan di IMT, berkhidmat kepada rakyat Mindanao dan Filipina sebagai kejayaan mereka dalam mengekalkan keamanan.
Pingat-pingat tersebut telah pun disampaikan oleh Colonel Falimon T Santos, Assistant Commanding General, 6 ID Armed Forces of the Phillippine. Pasukan ini juga mengadakan kunjungan perpisahan kepada Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, Pengerusi Barisan Pembebasan Islam Moro (MILF) di Kem Darapanan, Maguindanao pada hari Khamis 15 September 2016. Semasa kunjungan tersebut Pengerusi MILF mengucapkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan kepada Kerajaan Negara Brunei Darussalam dalam memberikan komitmen berterusan sejak 2004.