PH mourns death of ex-Japan PM Shinzo Abe

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 9) — President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte extended their condolences to the Japanese people and the family of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Abe, 67, died in a hospital on Friday after being shot in broad daylight while giving a campaign speech on a street in the City of Nara in central Japan.

Marcos expressed "shock and deep sadness" as he offered his sympathies to Abe’s family and the entire Japanese nation.

“Mr. Abe was a visionary leader who saw Japan through its most difficult times,” he said. “He was a devoted friend and a supporter of the Philippines, and it was during his leadership that the Philippine-Japan nations truly flourished."

RELATED: Who was Shinzo Abe, the former Japanese Prime Minister?

Marcos added that Abe’s "decisive and effective assistance" he extended to the Philippines will never be forgotten as one of the most exceptional periods in both countries' bilateral history.

Meanwhile, Duterte called Abe’s demise "a shocking tragedy that exposes the dark side of humanity.”

“The world lost a great leader,” she said.

The assassination of the former world leader has appalled a nation not used to gun violence and prompted an outpouring of support and condolences from the international community.
 

RELATED: Japan strict gun laws make shootings rare

Duterte recalled Abe as a “strong ally and a friend of the Philippines” who has shown his "love and kindness for Filipinos" through Japan’s support for the country’s growth and development.

Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs also expressed grief over the death of the former president of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party. 

The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines announced Sunday it will be opening a Book of Condolence for Abe at its office in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City on Monday, July 11 and Tuesday, July 12. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Embassy reminded those who wish to visit to bring a government-issued ID and inform the guards of the purpose of visit. It also said face masks must be worn at all times and that parking at the Embassy is unavailable.