The governments of the Philippines and Brunei have forged ties on religious cooperation for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Marian Jocelyn Tirol-Ignacio discussed with Brunei Darussalam Minister of Religious Affairs Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin Bin Director Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman some potential areas of bilateral cooperation last week, Nov. 8.
They talked about the potential halal infrastructure development and halal certification in the country, especially in BARMM.
In her meeting, Ignacio stressed the role of the development of halal practices in the Philippines on the development of Mindanao as she also expressed the country's appreciation for the abiding support extended by Brunei for the Mindanao Peace Process as a member of the International Monitoring Team.
Pehin Badaruddin also expressed hopes that Brunei could become a destination for Filipino students in the future in the areas of Islamic studies and training for teachers in madaris in the Philippines, concentrated in Central and Western Mindanao.
At the recently concluded Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits in Cambodia, Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah reaffirmed with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. his country's support for the peace process in BARMM.
Bolkiah said Brunei is ready to assist in the unification and modification of the peace process.
Ignacio and Pehin Badaruddin also both recognized the importance of people-to-people exchanges.