A dear friend of the Filipino people.

That's how presumptive House Speaker, Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez described the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was slain via assassination on Friday, July 8.
"I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was shot during a campaign event in the city of Nara early today," Romualdez, chairman of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party, said in a statement Friday.
"Shinzo Abe is a dear friend of the Filipino people, and we are saddened by this dastardly attack on such a peaceful man. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and the people of Japan," the Visayas solon said.
Abe served as Japan's prime minister from 2012 to 2020. During this time, the Philippines benefited from numerous Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects from Japan.
"The world has lost a kind and decent man, a great leader and a statesman. I join the country of Japan and the Filipino nation in mourning the death of the beloved leader," Romualdez said.
"We send our collective wish across the sea that justice be served to his family and to the Japanese people.
"This senseless act of violence must be condemned," he underscored.