Labis umanong nalulungkot si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa biglaang pagbaba sa puwesto ni Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Sa isang pahayag, pinuri ni Duterte si Abe na tinawag nitong pinuno na may “bold vision and firm determination.”
“The bilateral relations between the Philippines and Japan, now a strategic partnership, greatly flourished during his tenure,” saad ni Duterte.
“What we have worked for and achieved together lays the foundation for an even closer friendship and cooperation between our countries in the future.”
Matatandaang nag-resign ang 65-anyos na si Abe nitong Biyernes dahil sa dinaranas nitong ulcerative colitis.
Isang tunay na kaibigan din aniya si Abe hindi lamang sa kanya kundi pati na rin sa sambayanang Pilipino.
“He is – to me and the Filipino people – a true friend closer than a brother,” anang pangulo. “To Prime Minister Abe, I pray for your speedy and full recovery!”
Inalala rin ni Duterte na magiliw na tinanggap ni Abe ang kanyang paanyaya nang bumisita ang Japanese leader sa kanyang tahanan sa Davao City noong 2017.
“I will not forget Prime Minister Abe’s kindness and strength of character,” ani Duterte.
Kung maaalala, apat na beses bumisita sa Pilipinas si Abe kung saan una noong 2013; sinundan ng Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit noong 2015; dalawang araw na official visit noong Enero 2017; at ang Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Summit noong Nobyembre 2017.
