Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano mourned the death of Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated on July 8.
Abe, 67, was speaking on a street in Nara Prefecture when he was shot by a man identified as Yamagami Tetsuya, 41, a resident of Nara City and was a member of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, according to NHK World-Japan. He was taken to the Nara Medical University Hospital where he died.
Cayetano said she and her husband, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, met Abe and his wife.
“We praise God for the life and work done by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Today is a truly sad day not just for Japan but for the whole world as we mourn the passing of a great leader,” Mayor Cayetano posted on Facebook on July 8.
She said, “Alan and I had the pleasure of meeting him and his gracious wife. Despite his stature and influence, he was genuinely kind and humble. More than his high-profile position, it was his gentle persona that we really admired.”
“His leadership and achievements were legendary. His efforts to bring the Japanese and Filipino together were nothing but extraordinary and outstanding,” she added.
Cayetano said, “I hope a lot of young people would learn about his life and work. In a world where we lack role models, especially in politics, his example is a bright light worth emulating. Let's all be one in praying for his family and Japan.”