Foreign embassies extend condolences over death of ex-DFA chief Del Rosario

Foreign embassies have expressed their condolences over the death of former Philippine top diplomat Albert Del Rosario, who died Tuesday  while in transit to the United States.

The 83-year-old former Philippine Foreign Secretary, who steered the country’s arbitration case against China over disputes in the South China Sea in 2016, was aboard a flight to San Francisco when he passed away.

The Philippine flag will fly at half-mast for five days in all the country’s Foreign Service Posts worldwide starting Wednesday, April 19, officials said.

Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa hailed Del Rosario’s contribution to the Philippines-Japan relations, noting “his leadership to uphold the rule of law in the sea will never be forgotten.”

In 2022, Japanese Emperor Naruhito conferred the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun to Del  Rosario for being “instrumental in building Japan-Philippines bilateral ties.”  It was the highest honor of six classes in the Order given by Japan.

Australian Ambassador HK Yu said she is “saddened to learn” of the death of Del Rosario, whom she described as “a good friend to Australia.”

Del Rosario, Yu said, “did so much to deepen Australia-Philippines ties.”

“Secretary Del Rosario will always be remembered for his support for UNCLOS and the rules-based international order,” the Australian envoy said, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Upon his retirement from government service, Del Rosario actively promoted democracy and the adherence to international law, specifically the arbitral ruling that favored the Philippines and rejected China’s massive sea claim.

He founded and became the chairman of the Albert Del Rosario Institute (ADRi)-Stratbase policy group.

“He has fought for an independent foreign policy that prioritizes the interests of the country and of the Filipino people,” the ADRi-Stratbase Group said in a statement.

“He believed that diplomacy is a great equalizer in international affairs and that each state had an equal voice in the global community regardless of their political, economic, or military capabilities.”

The DFA has yet to provide details on the shipment of Del Rosario’s remains to the Philippines.—LDF, GMA Integrated News