President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte have extended their condolences over the untimely death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday.
In a statement, Marcos expressed shock and sadness at the demise of Abe — the longest-serving prime minister of Japan — and offered sympathies to his family and the Japanese nation.
"Mr. Abe was a visionary leader who saw Japan through its most difficult times. He was a devoted friend and a supporter of the Philippines, and it was during his leadership that the Philippine-Japan relations truly flourished," Marcos said.
"The decisive and effective assistance he extended to the Philippines and the warmth he demonstrated in the numerous visits he made to our country will never be forgotten, and will be written as one of the most exceptional periods in our bilateral history," he added.
Duterte, meanwhile, said the Japanese leader's death was "a shocking tragedy that exposes the dark side of humanity."
"The world lost a great leader," Duterte said. "He was a strong ally and a friend of the Philippines, and the immensity of his love and kindness for the Filipinos has been demonstrated many times over through Japan’s support for our growth and development."
