DFA mourns death of Yasay, Duterte’s first foreign affairs chief

FILE – Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay listens to a question from a member of the Commission on Appointments during the hearing at the Senate on Wednesday, March 8, 2017.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday mourned the passing of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., who succumbed to complications arising from cancer.

The DFA, in a statement, described Manila’s former top diplomat as an “esteemed and dedicated public servant.”

“Jun Yasay hurt no one and helped everyone he could,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. said.

Yasay served as President Rodrigo Duterte’s first DFA secretary.

“Upon his retirement from government service, he served as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Christian University,” the DFA noted.

Yasay is survived by wife Marie Cecile and daughter Stephanie.

Cremation of his remains is scheduled today, according to the DFA.

“The DFA pays tribute to a sincere mentor and offers prayers of comfort to the bereaved family,” it added.