Philippines sends deepest condolences to Shinzo Abe’s family, Japan

The Philippines has extended its condolences to the Japanese people and the family of longtime former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after he passed away on Friday.

Abe was killed after he was shot while delivering a speech ahead of upper house elections on Sunday.

"It is with profound sadness that we learn of the passing of former PM Abe Shinzo," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

"We express our deepest condolences to the Japanese government and people on his tragic death. We send our most heartfelt sympathy to Madame Akie Abe and their family.  We pray for their comfort in this most difficult time," it added.

"Mr. Abe was greatly admired by many Filipinos. We thank him for his key role in the strengthening of Philippines-Japan relations and for establishing a very deep bond of friendship with our country.  Mr. Abe will be very much missed and always remembered," the DFA said.

Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and wife Honeylet Avanceña also expressed their sympathies to Abe wife and family.

Former President Duterte expresses his deep sympathy to the wife and family of the former Prime Minister.

“Abe was a good and loyal friend, a staunch supporter of my administration and a strong ally of the nation," Duterte said in a statement released by his spokesman Martin Andanar.

"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," he added.

Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the world had lost "a kind and decent man, a great leader and a statesman."

"I join the country of Japan and the Filipino nation in mourning the death of the beloved leader," Romualdez said in a statement.

"We send our collective wish across the sea that justice be served to his family and to the Japanese people," he added.

The Japanese Broadcasting Corp. or NHK reported that Abe died at a hospital in Kashihara City, Nara region, where he was receiving medical treatment.

He was 67.

Hidetada Fukushima, professor of emergency medicine at Nara Medical University hospital, said Abe was in a state of cardiac arrest when he arrived.

"Shinzo Abe was transported at 12:20 pm. He was in a state of cardiac arrest upon arrival," Fukushima said. 

"Resuscitation was administered. However, unfortunately he died at 5:03 pm," he told reporters. —NB, GMA News