US, EU, Germany join PH in mourning death of ex-president Noynoy Aquino
MANILA, Philippines —As the country mourned the passing of Benigno Aquino III, the diplomatic community joined in expressing its condolences.
Aquino was remembered for deepening Asian relations and for his efforts to promote the Philippines’ international ties.
John Law, the Charge d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in the Philippines, was among the first envoys to offer condolences to the Aquino family.
“On behalf of the U.S. Embassy, I offer our deepest condolences to former President Benigno Aquino III’s family and loved ones at this heartbreaking time,” he said on Twitter.
“We are saddened by President Aquino’s passing and will always be thankful for our partnership,” he added.
The United Nations also sent condolences and paid tribute to Aquino’s contributions to the country.
“On behalf of the United Nations, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Aquino’s family and friends,” UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez said.
“We join the Filipino people in honoring his contribution and services to the country,” he added.
"On behalf of the United Nations, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Aquino’s family and friends," says Gustavo Gonzalez, UN Philippines Resident Coordinator. “We join the Filipino people in honoring his contribution and services to the country." pic.twitter.com/xqt7idjIbS
— UN Philippines (@UNPhilippines) June 24, 2021
The European Union (EU) delegation in the Philippines likewise mourned Aquino’s death and remembered the former president’s visit to Belgium in 2014 with “fond memories.”
“The EU Delegation and family in Manila express their condolences to the Aquino family and the whole nation on the passing of former President Benigno Noynoy Aquino III,” it said.
“Fond memories of his visit to Brussels in 2014. We mourn a friend who pushed for the deepening of our relations,” the delegation added.
British Ambassador to Manila Daniel Pruce also condoled with Aquino’s family and the Filipino people, saying he was “extremely saddened” by the latter’s demise.
“My deepest condolences to his loved ones and to the people of the Philippines,” the envoy added.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson, meanwhile, “fondly” remembered Aquino’s state visit to Australia as well as “the legacy of partnership and bayanihan” shared by the two countries.
We offer our condolences to the family of former President Benigno S. Aquino III and to the Filipino people. While the Philippines mourns his loss, we remember fondly his State Visit to Australia in 2012 and the legacy of partnership and bayanihan we shared. pic.twitter.com/8T6j9ovyFB
— Steven J. Robinson AO (@AusAmbPH) June 24, 2021
The German Embassy in the Philippines, for its part, underscored the outcome of Aquino’s visit to Germany in 2014, which it said “marked an important milestone in intensifying” the relations of the two countries.
Aquino, the embassy said, was a “great friend” of Germany. It further expressed “heartfelt condolences to the Filipino people” and the family of the late president.
“During his visit, he met with former German Federal President Joachim Gauck and Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel. At the same time, several bilateral agreements and exchanges of notes in the spheres of social security, trade, and education were signed at a ceremony held in the German Federal Foreign Office,” the embassy recalled.
“This visit was conducted in the context of the celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations between Germany and the Philippines in the same year,” it added.
