Brunei And The Philippines: A Historical Relationship Explored

Brunei and the Philippines have a long history of relations, with the two countries sharing cultural and linguistic differences that make them distinct from one another despite being geographically close. The Bruneian Empire, which included parts of the Philippines, was a Malay sultanate centred around Brunei on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia. The Philippines, which was once under the rule of the Bruneian Empire, has had a complex relationship with Brunei, with the two countries having formal diplomatic relations today.

The earliest records of the Bruneian people can be traced back to the presence of Austro-Melanesians around 40,000 B.C.E. in Niah Cave, Miri Division, Sarawak. The remains found there were linked to those found in the Last Glacial Period. During the ice age, Borneo and Palawan were linked with each other. After the sea level rose about 10,000 years ago, the Southeast Asian territories were divided into two regions, and the population began to migrate for various reasons.

The Bruneian Empire was a thalassocracy that covered the northern part of Borneo and the Sulu archipelago. At its peak, the Bruneian Empire controlled the coastal areas of Borneo, including modern-day Sarawak and Sabah, as well as the Sulu archipelago and the islands off the northwestern tip of Borneo. The Bruneian Empire also had control over Seludong, the site of the modern Philippine capital of Manila. The maritime state of Brunei was visited by the surviving crew of the Magellan Expedition in 1521.

The Yuan annals, compiled during the Dade period of the Yuan Dynasty, indicate that Brunei (known as Poni) had alternatingly lost wars against or ruled over several Philippine kingdoms, including Butuan, Sulu, Ma-i (Mindoro), Malilu (present-day Manila), and Wenduling (present-day Mindanao). The Philippines, then consisting of several kingdoms, had diplomatic relations with the Bruneian Empire, and the kings of these nations formed a regional Malay Muslim Royal clan that interconnected Malacca, Brunei, Pontianak, Samarinda, Banjarmasin, Manila, and Sulu.

The decline of the Bruneian Empire began in the 17th century due to internal strife, piracy, and European colonial expansion. The arrival of Western powers, such as the Spanish in Luzon and Visayas, and the British in Labuan, Sarawak, and North Borneo, led to the loss of much of the empire's territory. The conflict with Spain also resulted in a brief evacuation of the Bruneian capital until the Spanish withdrew. The Brunei-Spain conflict eventually died down, but the long-term effects of regional changes could not be avoided. The rise of European colonial powers in the region disrupted traditional trading patterns, destroying the economic base of Brunei and many other Southeast Asian sultanates.

In the 19th century, Brunei ceded territory to James Brooke, who became the White Rajah of Sarawak, resulting in Brunei's current small landmass and separation into two parts. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate, and in 1906, executive power was transferred to a British resident, further diminishing Brunei's sovereignty. Brunei gained its independence from the United Kingdom on January 1, 1984, and formal diplomatic relations between a unified modern Philippines and a freshly independent Brunei began on the same day.

The Brunei Empire and the Philippines

The Brunei Empire, also known as the Sultanate of Brunei, was a Malay sultanate that became a sovereign state in the 15th century. At this time, the Bruneian Empire expanded significantly, spreading across coastal areas of Borneo and the Philippines. The Brunei Empire was centred around the country of Brunei, which is located on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia.

At its peak, during the reign of Sultan Bolkiah from 1485 to 1528, the Brunei Empire controlled most of Borneo, including modern-day Sarawak and Sabah, as well as the Sulu Archipelago and the islands off the northwestern tip of Borneo. The Brunei Empire also held sway over several Philippine kingdoms, including Butuan, Sulu, Ma-i (Mindoro), Malilu (Manila), Shahuchong (Siocon), Madja-as (Oton), and Wenduling (Mindanao).

The Brunei Empire's influence in the Philippines was significant, and it had diplomatic relations with the Philippine kingdoms. The kings of these nations formed a regional Malay Muslim Royal clan, which interconnected Malacca, Brunei, Pontianak, Samarinda, Banjarmasin, Manila, and Sulu. The family connections between Rajah Matanda of Manila, Dayang-dayang (Princess) Mechanai of Sulu, and Sultan Bolkiah of Brunei further highlight the interconnectedness of the Brunei Empire and the Philippines.

The Brunei Empire's control over the Philippine kingdoms was not without challenges. Before the Spanish invasion of the Philippines, around the year 1500, the Brunei Empire attacked the Kingdom of Tondo on Luzon Island. Sultan Bolkiah defeated Tondo's leader, Rajah Suko, and established the city of Selurong (later known as Maynila, now the capital of the Philippines) on the opposite bank of the Pasig River. As a result of this victory, Brunei had control over Borneo and the western shores of the Philippines for more than a thousand years, only beginning to lose its hold in the 18th century.

The Brunei Empire began to decline in the 19th century, coinciding with the British invasion of Brunei and the Spanish colonisation of the Philippines. The Brunei Empire became a British protectorate in 1888 and ceased to exist as an independent power, with the territory coming under the control of the Mexico-governed Viceroyalty of New Spain. Despite the loss of sovereignty, formal diplomatic relations between a unified modern Philippines and an independent Brunei were established on January 1, 1984, marking a new chapter in the relationship between the two nations.

Brunei and the Philippines' diplomatic relations

Brunei and the Philippines have a long history of relations, with the two countries sharing diplomatic ties that date back to the 10th to 13th centuries. The two nations were once part of the Maritime Jade Road, and the Bruneian Empire was overlord over the Philippine kingdoms of the Sultanate of Sulu and the Rajahnate of Maynila. Family connections between the rulers of these kingdoms formed a regional Malay Muslim Royal clan that interconnected Malacca, Brunei, Pontianak, Samarinda, Banjarmasin, Manila, and Sulu.

According to the Yuan annals, "The Gazetteer of the South Sea", Brunei (known as Poni) had either lost wars against or ruled over several Philippine kingdoms, including Butuan, Sulu, Ma-i (Mindoro), Malilu (present-day Manila), Shahuchong (present-day Siocon), Madja-as (Oton), and Wenduling (Mindanao).

In more recent times, formal diplomatic relations between a unified modern Philippines and a freshly independent Brunei began on January 1, 1984. Both countries have embassies in each other's capitals, with Brunei having an embassy in Makati, Metro Manila, and the Philippines having an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.

In 1993, a diplomatic scandal known as the "Brunei beauties" affair occurred when Senator Ernesto Maceda of the Philippines claimed that there was illegal recruitment of Filipinas in Brunei as prostitutes and entertainers. Prince Jefri, the brother of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, was among those linked to the scandal. However, the Philippine government downplayed the issue to safeguard relations between the two countries.

In recent years, there have been several high-level exchanges between the two countries. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III made a state visit to Brunei in 2011 and attended the royal wedding of Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah in 2012. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei reciprocated with a state visit to the Philippines in 2013 to discuss Brunei's chairmanship of the ASEAN summit, with the South China Sea dispute being a key item on the agenda.

In 2016, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made his first-ever state visit to Brunei before attending the ASEAN summit in Laos. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah returned the visit in 2017, meeting with President Duterte to discuss issues of mutual concern regarding peace and security. The Sultan's most recent visit to the Philippines was in 2019, when he attended the opening ceremony of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

In addition to political ties, there is also a significant Filipino community in Brunei. As of 2013, there were over 20,000 Filipinos working in the country, up from around 8,000 in 1983. Many of them were involved in the construction of major projects such as the Istana Nurul Iman.

Brunei and the Philippines also have a history of cooperation in the fields of agriculture and trade. In 2009, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation in these areas, with a focus on plant science, crop technology, vegetable and fruit preservation, biotechnology, post-harvest technology, livestock, organic agriculture, irrigation, water resources, and the Halal industry.

The Brunei beauties scandal

In 1993, a diplomatic incident dubbed the "Brunei beauties" scandal erupted when Senator Ernesto Maceda of the Philippines claimed that several Filipinas had been illegally recruited to work as prostitutes and entertainers in Brunei. Prince Jefri, the brother of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, was among those implicated in the scandal. The Philippine government played down the issue, describing it as a "Senate affair" to avoid damaging relations between the two nations.

The controversy centred around allegations that successful movie stars from the Philippines had been recruited to entertain the Sultan of Brunei and other wealthy individuals on the island, with the implication that sexual favours may have been included in these arrangements. Ruffa Gutierrez, the reigning Bb. Pilipinas-World, was one of the women named by Maceda in a privilege speech. Other celebrities accused of involvement included Vivian Velez, Tetchie Agbayani, Cristina Gonzales, Lea Orosa, Aurora Sevilla, Sheila Israel, Rachel Lobangco, and Maritoni Fernandez.

The scandal caused a media frenzy, with some questioning Maceda's motives for bringing the issue to the Senate. However, the accusations led to a Senate investigation into prostitution and human trafficking, and eventually the enactment of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

In 1997, a former Miss USA, Shannon Marketic, sued Prince Jefri, claiming that she and other women had been hired for promotional work but were instead held as "virtual prisoners", drugged, and used as sex slaves. The Sultan denied the claims, and a judge later dismissed the suit on the grounds of sovereign immunity.

The Syair Awang Semaun epic

The Syair Awang Semaun is an epic poem that tells the story of the founding of Brunei Darussalam. The poem has at least six versions, not counting those in private possession, and they differ in length and content.

The standard story goes that 14 brothers, led by Awang Alak Betatar, the smartest and most handsome, but not the eldest, decided to leave their home in Garang, Temburong, to search for a new place to settle. Two of the brothers, Pateh Berbai and Damang Seri, found the Brunei River, and the former exclaimed 'Barunah!', which can be translated as 'Found it!' or 'Finally!'. The term later became 'Barunai' and then 'Brunai' or 'Brunei'. One of the brothers, Awang Semaun, was a man of extraordinary strength and played a key role in expanding the Bruneian empire across Borneo.

However, the version of the story told in the Syair Awang Semaun differs in several ways. Firstly, the list of founding heroes includes unfamiliar names like Patih Bulu Mata Gajah and Harimau Taring, and excludes well-known ones like Damang Sari. Secondly, Awang Semaun is depicted as a native Borneon (Murut or Lun Bawang) rather than a 'Melayu Brunei'. Thirdly, the poem includes more fantastical elements, such as the claim that Awang Alak Betatar's father hatched from an egg that descended from heaven.

The Syair Awang Semaun also provides an alternative genealogy for Sultan Bolkiah, a well-known figure in Bruneian history. According to the poem, Bolkiah was the son of Damang Libar Daun, one of the 14 founding heroes, who emigrated to Java and married a local woman. Bolkiah later returned to Brunei and had adventures with Awang Asmara, the grandson of Awang Semaun's warrior friend, Awang Jerambak.

Despite its fantastical elements, the Syair Awang Semaun offers valuable insights into the early history of Brunei, particularly the pre-1500s period before the arrival of Antonio Pigafetta and the reign of Sultan Bolkiah. It is one of several sources that suggest that Brunei's royal lineage can be traced back to the Cambodian Kingdom of Funan. According to local historiography, Brunei was founded by Awang Alak Betatar, who later became Sultan Muhammad Shah, the first Muslim ruler of Brunei, around AD 1400.

The Brunei Civil War

The TNKU began coordinated attacks on the oil town of Seria, targeting the Royal Dutch Shell oil installations, police stations, and government facilities around the protectorate. The revolt began to break down within hours, failing to achieve key objectives such as the capture of Brunei Town and Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III. The revolt influenced the Sultan's 1963 decision not to join Malaysia.

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