PH ambassador to Japan joins groups in backing del Rosario

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez joined various groups in throwing support for Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, saying that he had no doubts at the diplomat’s effective leadership in efforts to address the issue of the West Philippine Sea dispute.

“I have no doubt that the secretary is effectively leading our country’s diplomatic efforts in these critical and dangerous times,” Lopez said in a statement.

“His principled defense of our national sovereignty deserves the support of all Filipinos so that we speak with one voice in the world community,” he added.

Earlier reports had it that del Rosario was “demoralized” and was thinking of resigning after the recent incidents that involved the back-channeling efforts of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV with China over the Scarborough Shoal dispute.

Del Rosario, however, had denied the reports, saying he remained true to his commitment to faithfully serve the country.

Lopez, in his statement, said he hoped that del Rosario would continue to lead the country’s diplomatic efforts for more years to come, citing that in his two years as ambassador to Japan,  del Rosario had shown the “highest sense of patriotism and dedication to duty.”

“In my own experience, the foreign secretary once again showed he was a hands-on official who was quick to respond and be in Tokyo to help in our efforts to move Filipinos away from the dangers of nuclear contamination in the wake of the Fukushima disaster,” Lopez said.

Lopez also cited del Rosario’s initiatives to lead operations to assure the safety of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Libya and Syria, which were centers of conflict in the Middle East.

“The foreign secretary was always at the forefront of diplomatic efforts to defend our national interest and ensure the safety of our countrymen overseas,” Lopez said.

Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Cuisia, US Pinoys for Good Governance Chairman Loida Lewis, and Rene “Butch” Meily, Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce of New York President Rene “Butch” Meily, had earlier expressed their support for del Rosario.