A boost from Brunei

Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III has just welcomed His Majesty Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in Malacañang Palace.
Sultan Bolkiah’s visit to the country is his first since 2009, and the first under the Aquino administration. The visit was scheduled two weeks ahead of Brunei’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ministerial and leaders’ summit in which Brunei will be the chairman.
President Aquino, who visited Brunei twice in 2011 and 2012, has committed to further strengthen relations between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam, as well as “with all Southeast Asian states,” to improve not only economic and cultural engagements but also “through dialogue for maritime security.”
“Your Majesty, the waters that separate our countries remind us that the same waves lap at our shores. As a brother nation in ASEAN, our country is committed to nurturing our relationship; we commit to enhancing cooperation with Brunei and with all Southeast Asian states, not only through economic and cultural engagements, but also through dialogue for maritime security,” the President said.
“This is our pledge: to continue working with our neighbors in implementing the commitments of ASEAN member states in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and in moving forward with negotiations for the adoption of a Code of Conduct,” he added.
In response, Sultan Bolkiah assured the President of his country’s assistance and support in the President’s peace keeping initiatives in Mindanao.
The mere visit of the Sultan of Brunei is a big boost to the Philippines, considering its historical ties in which the ruler of that Sultanate once gave a big part of Borneo island called Sabah to the Sultan of Sulu for its help in quelling a rebellion there. While it may not be said in public, surely the leaders of the two countries and ASEAN will not avoid discussing the Sabah claim of the Philippines spearheaded by the Sultanate of Sulu. And this brings hope for the Philippines in its historical Sabah claim.