Palace condoles with Vietnam on death of its president

Malacañang on Sunday expressed its condolences to the nation of Vietnam on the death of its President Tran Dai Quang.

"The Palace offers its deepest condolences to the government and people of Vietnam on the demise of President Tran Dai Quang. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family and the Vietnamese people," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte recalled the warmth and the hospitality extended by Quang during his first official visit to Vietnam in 2016 and Vietnam’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in 2017.

Quang, 61, died in a military hospital in Hanoi due to a "serious illness despite efforts by domestic and international doctors and professors," according to Vietnam Television.

Lawyer Tran Vu Hai said Vice president Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh would handle Quang's responsibilities until the country's National Assembly elects a new president. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BM, GMA News