‘PH champion in US Congress’

The Philippines lost a true friend and champion with the death of US Sen. John McCain, Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said on Sunday.

McCain died of brain cancer on Saturday. He was 81.

“We deeply mourn the death of Sen. John McCain, a true friend of the Philippines and one of our champions in the United States Congress,” Cayetano said in a statement.

“The Filipino people extend their deepest condolences to Senator McCain’s family and to the people of the United States of America,” he said.

“We will remember Senator McCain for translating America’s commitment into action and for playing a vital role in keeping our alliance strong and capable to address current strategic challenges,” he said.

Cayetano cited McCain’s support for the Mindanao peace process, which “exemplified his humanitarian spirit and his lifelong dedication to the cause of peace and justice.”

He also recalled that he was the last senior Philippine government official to be received by McCain as chair of the Senate armed services committee last September. —DJ YAP