MUARA, THURSDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2026 – The Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy, Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Q. Ezpeleta, concluded a three-day official visit to Brunei Darussalam from 20 to 22 October 2026. Accompanied by his spouse, Mrs Marie Venus P. Ezpeleta, and a delegation from the Philippine Navy, the visit aimed to further strengthen defence relations and naval cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of the Philippines.
During the visit, Vice Admiral Ezpeleta paid a courtesy call on Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), at the Ministry of Defence, Bolkiah Garrison. This was followed by a call on Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Coordinating Minister for National Security, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II. The Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), First Admiral Sahibul Bahari bin Haji Zainal Abidin, was in attendance for both calls.
Vice Admiral Ezpeleta then proceeded to Muara Naval Base, where he inspected a Guard of Honour led by Lieutenant Nabil bin Dr Haji Yusop, RBN, at the RBN Headquarters. The Vice Admiral subsequently attended a bilateral meeting with the Commander of the RBN and members of the RBN Executive Board. The meeting provided a valuable platform for the RBN and its counterpart to exchange views on bilateral naval engagements, training and educational exchanges, and broader maritime security cooperation.
The Philippine Navy delegation also toured KDB DARUTTAQWA, one of the RBN’s DARUSSALAM-class patrol vessels, receiving a comprehensive briefing on the vessel’s operational roles and capabilities. The tour was followed by a luncheon hosted by the Commander of the RBN at the RBN Officers’ Mess.
In the evening, the Commander of the RBN hosted an official dinner in honour of Vice Admiral Ezpeleta and his delegation at An-Naura, Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex, in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Concurrently, a separate spouse programme was arranged for Mrs Marie Venus P. Ezpeleta, who was accompanied by Haniwati binti Haji Bakar, spouse of the Commander of the RBN. The programme featured a boat tour of Kampong Ayer and a visit to the Brunei Arts and Handicraft Training Centre.
The successful visit underscores the close, longstanding defence relations between Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of the Philippines. It further reflects the RBN’s continued commitment to strengthening professional cooperation with regional partners to ensure collective maritime security and stability.
