16 February 2015 - His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, granted a farewell audience to Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Nestor Z. Ochoa, during a ceremony held at the Istana Nurul Iman on February 12.
During the audience, Ambassador Ochoa thanked His Majesty for receiving him in audience and for the warm hospitality of the Bruneian people since the Ambassador’s arrival on March 25, 2011.
Ambassador Ochoa also expressed his appreciation for His Majesty and the Brunei government’s assistance to the Philippine Embassy during meetings and visits between the Philippines and Brunei including high-level exchanges such as the State Visit of President Aquino to Brunei in June 2011, Official Visits of President Aquino to Brunei to attend the 22nd and 23rd ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in April and October 2013, respectively, and the State Visit of His Majesty to the Philippines in April 2013.
The Ambassador likewise conveyed the Philippine government’s gratitude to His Majesty and the Brunei Government for the continuous and active involvement in the peace process in Mindanao, particularly in providing an expert who became part of the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) which oversees the decommissioning process of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces and arms.
Furthermore, Ambassador Ochoa expressed the Philippine government’s gratitude for the messages of sympathy and support from His Majesty, and Brunei’s donations amounting to US$500,000.00 for the victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda and B$100,000.00 for the victims of the earthquake in Bohol in 2013.
Before the conclusion of the farewell audience, the Ambassador was also able to convey the Philippines’ appreciation to the Brunei Government in working closely with the Embassy in promoting the well-being of the 22,000-strong Filipino community in Brunei Darussalam, as well as his greetings to His Majesty, members of the Royal Family, and to the Bruneian people on the occasion of the 31st National Day of Brunei Darussalam on February 23.
For his part, the Sultan was very pleased with the meeting and reaffirmed the Brunei government’s commitment to strengthening the bonds of friendship between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam, and enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries in all fields of endeavor.
Ambassador Ochoa presented his letter of credence before His Majesty at the Istana Nurul Iman on April 05, 2011. END