World lost a great leader with assassination of former Japanese PM Abe — VP Sara Duterte

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe  (REUTERS / file photo)

MANILA, Philippines — The world just lost a great leader with the untimely death of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, Vice President Sara Duterte said on Friday.

Duterte, in a statement, extended her condolences to Abe’s family and the people of Japan, who are grieving after the former leader was assassinated while campaigning at the western city of Nara for a parliamentary election.

News of the incident shocked the world, and hours after being declared in a state of cardiac arrest, Abe was confirmed dead by Japanese authorities.

“Let me convey my deepest condolences to the bereaved family of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the people of Japan grieving over his untimely demise,” Duterte said.

“His death is a shocking tragedy that exposes the dark side of humanity.  The world lost a great leader,” she added.

The Vice President noted that the former Japanese prime minister was a strong ally of the Philippines, who exhibited his love for Filipinos several times.

“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,” Duterte said.

Duterte’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, also offered his condolences earlier, noting that the slain former Japanese leader was a firm supporter of his administration. 

During the term of the elder Duterte, Abe visited not only Manila, but the former president’s home in Davao City as well.

“As the world mourns the loss of this great man, we remember him for his compassionate service and remarkable leadership. Indeed, one of the most influential world leaders of our time,” the former President said in a statement.

“During my presidency, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was not just the first foreign leader to visit the Philippines after my election but was also the only foreign leader to visit my home in Davao City. For this, I will always hold him close to my heart and cherish the moments we have shared together,” former president Duterte said in a separate message on his Facebook page.

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