President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. departed the Philippines on Tuesday, May 28 to uphold a state visit to Brunei Darussalam and a working visit to Singapore.
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In his departure speech at the Villamore Airbase Pasay City on Tuesday morning, Marcos said he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Bruneian officials, particularly Prime Minister Hassanal Bolkiah ibni Omar Ali Saifuddien III.
Marcos said he will explore new avenues for cooperation and strengthen the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Brunei.
"Brunei and the Philippines have enjoyed a historically warm relationship based on mutual respect, trust, and confidence," said Marcos.
"Brunei has continuously been a reliable partner of the Philippines, and our citizens have enjoyed extremely friendly relations since we established relations 40 years ago," he added.
After Bruneri, Marcos said he would proceed to Singapore to deliver a keynote address at the opening of the 21st IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier defense summit.
Marcos will meet new Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to strengthen the 55-year-old Philippines-Singapore diplomatic relations.
"I think it is extremely timely that I attend, foot forward, and articulate the Philippines' perspective and outlook on defense and diplomacy while we continue to highlight the Philippines' commitment to a rules-based intentional order and a constructive multilateralism amidst the geopolitical challenges that we face in our region."
According to the Presidential Communications Office, Marcos' participation in the 21st IISS Shangri-La Dialogue underscores the administration's commitment to promoting a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Philippines for all Filipinos, domestically and abroad.
