Former President Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino dies of renal disease

The bereaved family of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III confirmed his passing in a statement this afternoon.

“It is with profound grief that on behalf of our family, I am confirming that our brother Benigno 'Noynoy' S. Aquino III died peacefully in his sleep,” said Pinky Aquino-Abellada, one of the late president's sisters.

“His death certificate pronounced his death at 6:30 a.m. due to renal disease secondary to diabetes.

“No words can express how broken our hearts are and how long it would take for us to accept the reality that he's gone. Mission accomplished ka Noy. Be happy now with dad and mom.

“We love you and we are so blessed to have had the privilege to have had you as our brother. We will miss you forever, Noy.”

The former president is the son of the late democracy icons senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. and President Corazon “Cory” Aquino.

News of his death circulated this morning and was confirmed by several news outlets at around 9 a.m.

Aquino was the country's 15th president. He was 61 years old.

Read celebrities' reactions about the passing of the former president: