COTABATO CITY (MARCH 3, 2023) – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed that the Philippines and Malaysian both agreed to continue cooperation on political and security matters, including the rekindling of the joint commission meetings and joint initiatives to combat transnational crime and terrorism last March 1, 2023 at the Malacañang Palace during the state visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Philippines.
President Marcos Jr. said, “We have recognized the great contribution that Malaysia has made to the peace process in southern Philippines. And we hope that this support that they have shown over the past few years will continue and will continue to contribute to the success of the peace process and the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.”
“The assistance be will done through various capacity-building programs, including through our Malaysia Technical Cooperation Program,” the Malaysian prime minister replied.
He added, “On the peace process in Mindanao, I must express again my profound thanks and gratitude. Under your leadership, President, you have seen great strides in this direction. It is only our duty, as a good neighbor, to support and facilitate the process.”
“Malaysia has assured the Philippines of continued help to pave the way to a stable Bangsamoro administration in Mindanao,” PM Ibrahim added and stressed that his stands are guided by everything that needs to be done at the multilateral level to support peace in Mindanao.
Marcos Jr. shared the historic roots of culture and kinship of the Philippines and Malaysia.
He added “As such, we spoke of further deepening our people-to-people ties through continued cultural exchanges and tourism.”
“The Philippines President appreciates Malaysia’s service all this time and asks us to help so that it can be streamlined and speed up the reconciliation process,” Marcos Jr. underscored.
The two state leaders also discussed about assistance about Malaysia’s assistance to the BARMM including the assurances, cooperation, and the future of the thousands former fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
In his statement at the official portal of the Bangsamoro government, Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, revealed that his group said there is no problem in fast-tracking the process of placing weapons. He pointed out that this effort should be in coupled with the eradication of the private armies of local politicians.
“One problem we see that increases tension in the region is the private armed groups of the politicians,” he underscored.
The Malaysian prime minister said Malaysia is committed to supporting and enhancing cooperation in the countries of Brunei Darussalam –Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). ### (Usop M. Manggamanan/BMN-USM BSIR Interns/BangsamoroToday, Photo courtesy Office of the President Facebook)
