By Za'im Zaini
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), yesterday consented to receive in audience the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, General Hermogenes C Esperon Jr. The audience took place at the Istana Nurul Iman.
Accompanying the Philippines Chief of Staff was the Commander of RBAF Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Hj Md Yussof.
Also present during the audience was Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, and the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Abd Hamid bin Pg Hj Mohd Yassin.
In a separate room at the Istana Nurul Iman, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Saleha consented to receive the wife of the Philippines General, Dr Lorna Hermenegilda Esperon, in audience.
Dr Lorna was accompanied by the wife of RBAF Commander, Datin Hjh Kalshom bin Hj Suhaili. The three-day official introductory visit by General Hermogenes C Esperon Jr is aimed at strengthening the existing ties and to extend the importance of defence cooperation between the two countries as well as the respective armed forces.
- Borneo Bulletin
(8th Nov 2007)
