Bandar Seri Begawan, Wednesday 07 Nov 2007 - His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) has consented to recieve in audience the Chief of Staff Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) His Excellency General Hermogenes C. Esperon JR at the Istana Nurul Iman. Accompanying the Chief of Staff Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were the Commander of RBAF Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Md Yussof and the Permanent Secretary of Defence, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Abd Hamid bin Pg Haji Mohd Yassin.

While in another room at the Istana Nurul Iman, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha also consented to receive a separate audience by the wife of Chief of Staff Armed Forces of the Philippines Mrs Dr Lorna Hermenegilda Esperon. She was accompanied by the wife of Commander of RBAF, Datih Hajah Kalshom bin Haji Suhaili. The audience was also held at the Istana Nurul Iman.

The 3-day official introductory visit His Excellency General Hermogenes C. Esperon JR ever since his present appointment as the Chief of Staff Armed Forces of the Philippines aims to strengthen the friendly relation and to extend the importance of defence cooperation between both countries as well as respective armed forces.