Brunei–Philippines relations

The Brunei–Philippines relations refers to the bilateral relations between Brunei and the Philippines. Brunei has an embassy in Makati, Metro Manila while the Philippines has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Brunei–Philippines relations

Brunei
Philippines

State visits

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, made a state visit to Brunei on 1–2 June 2011 and visited the country again on 23 September 2012 to attend the royal wedding of Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah.[1]

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei made a state visit on 15–16 April 2013 to the Philippines to discuss Brunei's chairmanship in the ASEAN summit. The sultan thanked President Aquino for the Philippines' support for his country's ASEAN chairmanship.[2] The South China Sea dispute was also on agenda. The Philippines urged Brunei as chair, to prioritise on the conclusion of a code of conduct regarding the issue. Brunei expressed support for the creation of a binding conduct among claimants in the regional dispute and has vowed to pursue the said conduct.[3]

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had his first ever state visit in Brunei before going to the ASEAN General Assembly in Laos in September 2016. The visit shall symbolize the strong ties between the two allied nations.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei returned to the Philippines on 26–29 April 2017 for a state visit and to attend the 30th ASEAN Summit, which the Philippines chaired. The Sultan met with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to discuss issues of mutual concern regarding peace and security.[4]

Filipinos in Brunei

In 1983, there were approximately 8,000 Filipinos working in Brunei, with some of them involved in the construction of the Istana Nurul Iman and other projects of the Bruneian government.[5] As of 2013, there are more than 20,000 Filipinos working in Brunei.[3]

Issues

Brunei beauties

In 1993, in a diplomatic affair dubbed as the Brunei beauties, Senator Ernesto Maceda claimed that there were illegal recruitment of Filipinas in Brunei as prostitutes and entertainers. Prince Jefri, the brother of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah were among those linked to the scandal. The Philippine government downplayed the issue and describe it as merely a "Senate affair" to safeguard relations between Brunei and the Philippines.[6]

References
  1. "Brunei - Economy - Boost For Brunei's Ties With The Philippines". Asean Business News. Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  2. "Brunei Darussalam - BN - Brunei, Philippines Renew Ties - Bid Ocean Asia Tender and Business News". Bidocean.asia. 22 April 2013. Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  3. "Brunei Times". Mail.bruneitimes.com.bn. 17 April 2013. Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  4. Cayabyab, Marc Jayson (26 April 2017). "Brunei Sultan Bolkiah arrives for Asean summit, state visit". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  5. "Brief History of the Embassy". Philippine-embassybrunei.com. 29 May 2012. Archived from the original on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  6. "Palace washes hands off Brunei beauties". Manila Standard. 30 September 1993. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
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