HIGH-ranking Davao City officials mourned and extended their condolences to the family of the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who died after being shot during a campaign speech on Friday, July 8.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte posted on his official Facebook page his "deep regret and profound sadness" on the former Japanese leader's death.
"I extend my sincerest condolences to his wife, Madame Akie, and family on this tragedy. I also join the Japanese People in mourning his loss and in condemning the senseless act of violence," Duterte said.
During his presidency, he said Abe was not just the first foreign leader to visit the Philippines after his election but was also the only foreign leader to visit his home in Davao City.
Abe visited the city in January 2017. His visit aimed to strengthen relations between Japan and the Philippines.
During his visit, he also paid a courtesy visit to Duterte.
Abe also visited Mintal, known as “Little Tokyo” as it is the site of former Japanese settlers in the city.
"I will always hold him close to my heart and cherish the moments we have shared together," Duterte said.
"It is my hope that, as we remember his legacy, we will continue to learn and draw from his dedication to duty and remarkable leadership moving forward," Duterte added.
Duterte's daughter, former Davao City Mayor and current Vice President Sara Duterte also sent her condolences to the family and to the people of Japan.
Sara said Abe's death "is a shocking tragedy that exposes the dark side of humanity," and that the "world lost a great leader."
"He was a strong ally and a friend of the Philippines, and the immensity of his love and kindness for the Filipinos has been demonstrated many times over through Japan’s support for our growth and development," she said.
Davao de Oro Vice Governor Tyron Uy also sent his condolences through a Facebook post.
Uy said he was fortunate to personally meet and interact with the late Abe.
"Atol sa iyang state visit sa Davao City, ang mga governors sa Davao Region mao'y natahasan nga i-welcome si Prime Minister Abe sa iyang pag-abot sa Mindanao (During his state visit in Davao City, the governors in Davao Region were tasked to welcome the Prime Minister Abe during his visit in Mindanao)," he said.
During his stint as provincial governor, he had met with various heads of state, but he said the late prime minister was the one he had close interaction with.
In an interview with local media, Uy said his visit means a lot for the region as it signals stronger ties with Japan and working on common social and economic interests which he believed benefits Davao de Oro and by extension, the entire country until now.
Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku (MKD), in a Facebook post, also mourned the passing of the Japanese head.
Abe also visited the school during his visit to the city in early 2017.
"MKD will never forget the humility and sincerity that he had shown to all of our school officials, teachers, students, and parents during his historical and very memorable visit to our college," MKD said.
"May Abe-sama rest in peace and condolences to everyone in his wonderful homeland. Our thoughts are with Japan," MKD added.
Abe was shot from behind minutes after he started his speech Friday in Nara in western Japan. He was airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment but was not breathing and his heart had stopped. He was pronounced dead later at the hospital.
The 67-year-old Abe was Japan’s longest-serving leader before stepping down for health reasons in 2020. RGL